belittling 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce belittling (audio)
Definition of belittlingnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

belittling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of belittle
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 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 belittling
Adjective
The boundaries revolve around disrespectful or belittling speech. — Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 28 Sep. 2020 Yet, since sometime before July 23, 2022, an anonymous user has been steadily updating IMDb’s trivia section on Corsage with hostile and belittling comments presented under the guise of background information. — Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2023
Verb
Self respect/love is a strong virtue, tolerating belittling is toxic. — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025 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 The remark was meant to be an insult, belittling a company that seemed to care more about hardware profit margins than design and innovation. — Janko Roettgers, The Verge, 28 May 2026 The ruthlessness of the producers cutting folk off mid-speech or retracting the microphone and upping the music volume was belittling to those on stage. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026 Link was captured on Ring camera footage mocking and belittling Jimenez after shooting him, prosecutors say. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026 Meeting a partner’s family can be challenging in any circumstance; anxieties about a family member saying something rude or belittling can only compound that. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belittling
  1. insulting
  2. dismissing
  3. demeaning
  4. minimizing
  5. disparaging
  6. diminishing
  7. degrading
  8. criticizing
Adjective
  • Considering there were only 33 appearances this past season, such Heat prudence hardly could be viewed as insulting.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026
  • What Florence has been doing is consistent and insulting.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
Definition of insulting
Verb
  • The program was established by state lawmakers in 2018 as a way to help stem the tide of mental illness in jails and prisons, usually by dismissing cases and offering treatment for the underlying conditions behind a defendant’s arrest.
    — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • Manchester, for example, was in court for a year after dismissing a contractor from the Parkade redevelopment job, and ended up paying $2 million.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026
Definition of dismissing
Adjective
  • 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.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Emily Hoerner, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Definition of demeaning
Verb
  • 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.
    — Eugenia Mykuliak, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 1 July 2026
Definition of minimizing
Adjective
  • 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.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The irony is that Trump has been more disparaging and dismissive of the military than any other president.
    — Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of disparaging
Verb
  • Others expressed concerns about diminishing Black voting power.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Movies Are Good, Actually By Michael O’Donnell A film critic’s new book attacks the medium for diminishing culture.
    — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
Definition of diminishing
Adjective
  • No one should be subject to listening to the most degrading and profane words that now seem popular with some people.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
Definition of degrading
Verb
  • Acknowledging and even criticizing our mistakes of the past doesn’t cheapen one’s love for the United States.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of criticizing

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Cite this Entry

“Belittling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittling. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on belittling

Nglish: Translation of belittling for Spanish Speakers

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