BELITTLEMENT Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

belittlement

noun

Definition of belittlement

as in criticism

the act of making a person or a thing seem little or unimportant an unconscionable belittlement of his assistant in public

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of belittlement During Season 10, a newly confident Batula — who seemed to despise Cooke from the first minute of the premiere episode — appeared to be poised to launch a triumphant post-divorce arc, free at last from Cooke’s belittlement and verbal abuse. — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 29 June 2026 Apolline may embrace the social media aspects of her career but George’s belittlement rankles her. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for belittlement

Noun

Either way, Steve Sarkisian has noticed something different about his quarterback this week, which also comes at a time of heightened criticism towards the Texas offense.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
The government efforts to make sure that male royals are producing male emperors have triggered criticisms.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticism

Noun

As my colleague Clare Malone has reported in this magazine, Weiss first came to public attention in college, as a consequence of her support for Israel and consistent denigrations of the Palestinian cause.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Freedom, mobility; who gets to be an artist; style, ornamentation, artifice; work, leisure; the counterculture; the denigration of femininity; West Coast oddballism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of denigration

Noun

The Johnson County pastor and the former rural doctor traded condemnations, repeatedly turning policy questions into opportunities to cast doubt on each other’s character and fitness for office.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Under Ben-Gvir, Israeli police have increasingly allowed Jews to pray at the site, a deliberate provocation to the Arab world, drawing condemnation from Palestinian and Jordanian authorities.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemnation

Noun

The classmate, Joleene Altum, sued Griffin for emotional distress and invasion of privacy, and Griffin countersued for defamation in a bitter, ongoing legal battle.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Allen denied both women's allegations and filed counterclaims against them in July 2023, accusing his former manager of defamation and other claims and accusing Jane Doe 2 of unlawfully taking his cellphone following their encounter.

— Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of defamation

Noun

Another man decided to report to police additional abuse by Moore, who was the man’s babysitter, after speaking with Hamilton in 2010, according to court records and Hamilton’s campaign.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Another 16% experienced discriminatory comments or abuse, while 10% experienced physical aggression.

— Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

Lawmakers who oppose him risk public ridicule, primary challenges and diminished political support.

— Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
The objects of female desire—boy bands, teen idols, soap opera characters, suspiciously close hockey players—have always been subject to ridicule.

— Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of ridicule

Noun

As part of its offer, ATO SpA has also proposed a potential 3 million euro earn-out if cumulative earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the 2026 to 2029 period exceed 23 million euros.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Companies borrowing heavily to build computing capacity could face a squeeze if financing costs rise faster than revenue, particularly where construction expenses and depreciation mount before facilities reach full utilization.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of depreciation

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belittled

belittlement

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“Belittlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittlement. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of belittlement

noun

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