belittle

/bɪˈlɪɾəl/

/bɪˈlɪtəl/

Other forms: belittled; belittling; belittles

To belittle means to put down, or to make another person feel as though they aren't important. Saying mean things about another person literally makes them feel "little."

To belittle someone is a cruel way of making someone else seem less important than yourself. A candidate for office might belittle his opponent by pointing out during a press conference that his fellow candidate has an inferior intellect. Belittling doesn't have to come in the form of verbal abuse. A manager who forces his administrative assistant to scrub his office floor with a toothbrush belittles her as well.

Definitions of belittle

1. verb

   cause to seem lesser or inferior
   “Don't belittle his influence”

   synonyms: denigrate, derogate, minimize

   types:

   talk down

   belittle through talk

   type of:

   disparage, pick at

   express a negative opinion of
2. verb

   lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of
   “don't belittle your colleagues”

   synonyms: diminish

   type of:

   decrease, lessen, minify

   make smaller
3. verb

   express a negative opinion of
   synonyms: disparage, pick at

   types:

   pan, tear apart, trash

   express a totally negative opinion of

   discredit, disgrace

   damage the reputation of

   deprecate, depreciate, vilipend

   belittle

   denigrate, derogate, minimize

   cause to seem lesser or inferior

   deflate, puncture

   reduce or lessen the size or importance of

   talk down

   belittle through talk

   type of:

   criticise, criticize, knock, pick apart

   find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws