as in slighting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value
there's no need for belittling comments about your brother's trumpet playing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dismissing
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
belittled the action star's acting ability
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of belittling
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2026
Dante Gabriel Rossetti could always cheer himself up by belittling William Morris.
—
Literary Hub,
18 Dec. 2025
Pritchard is taking over for interim head coach Frank Reich, who replaced Troy Taylor in the spring after Taylor was dismissed for allegations of bullying and belittling staff.
—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
29 Nov. 2025
Self respect/love is a strong virtue, tolerating belittling is toxic.
—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belittling
Verb
This year begins with the familiar sound of politicians belittling each other and seeking attention by any means.
—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2026
Dante Gabriel Rossetti could always cheer himself up by belittling William Morris.
—
Literary Hub,
18 Dec. 2025
Pritchard is taking over for interim head coach Frank Reich, who replaced Troy Taylor in the spring after Taylor was dismissed for allegations of bullying and belittling staff.
—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
29 Nov. 2025
Self respect/love is a strong virtue, tolerating belittling is toxic.
—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belittling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belittling
Adjective
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Considering there were only 33 appearances this past season, such Heat prudence hardly could be viewed as insulting.
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What Florence has been doing is consistent and insulting.
Verb
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Integration Calling genomics the most powerful data asset in biopharma does not mean dismissing other data types.
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For now, Comcast is dismissing M&A talk, but there also is the matter of timing.
Adjective
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This is demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports.
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Some women who filed lawsuits against Ortega reported they had been confused about whether demeaning or uncomfortable actions the doctor engaged in during exams was within the bounds of necessary medical behavior.
Verb
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The end goal should not be minimizing the number of systems per se, but rather making sure those systems can be adjusted and integrated quickly to keep up with changing business demands.
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Under the former, the priority is to continue providing water and wastewater services while minimizing creditor losses and restructuring the company so a new owner can be found.
Adjective
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Felix points to Trump’s disparaging and false comments against Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, which put a target on the back of many Haitian immigrants.
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The irony is that Trump has been more disparaging and dismissive of the military than any other president.
Verb
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Others expressed concerns about diminishing Black voting power.
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Movies Are Good, Actually By Michael O’Donnell A film critic’s new book attacks the medium for diminishing culture.
Adjective
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No one should be subject to listening to the most degrading and profane words that now seem popular with some people.
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According to the company, the electronic attack variant is intended to provide non-kinetic effects on the battlefield by disrupting and degrading enemy sensors and reconnaissance networks.
Verb
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Acknowledging and even criticizing our mistakes of the past doesn’t cheapen one’s love for the United States.
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The movie continues its tradition of addressing social issues, this time focusing on human equality and colonial looting, with pointed dialogue criticizing the British Empire.
Cite this Entry
“Belittling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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