Belittle (Verb)
Meaning 1
Lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of; "don't belittle your colleagues".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- Her tendency to constantly interrupt and mock her opponent's opinions served only to belittle her own reputation in the eyes of the audience.
- Critics argue that the politician's decision to make jokes at the press conference belittled the seriousness of the issue.
- By teasing her about her creative projects, her friends unwittingly belittle the passion and hard work she puts into them.
- She worried that her sarcastic comment about the new idea might belittle her colleague's contribution to the team effort.
- The fact that he downplayed the volunteer work done by the non-profit organization only served to belittle the dedication of its members.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Express a negative opinion of; "She disparaged her student's efforts".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The manager's condescending attitude was meant to belittle the team's innovative ideas.
- Her constant criticism began to belittle the employee's confidence in his abilities.
- The rival politician's speech was aimed to belittle the opponent's accomplishments.
- The older sibling loved to belittle the younger one's achievements in front of their parents.
- The teacher's caustic remark served to belittle the student's effort to participate in class.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Meaning 3
Cause to seem less serious; play down; "Don't belittle his influence".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- She tends to belittle her fears but they still have a profound impact on her life.
- Don't belittle his influence, as he's the reason many started paying attention to the social issue.
- He has a tendency to belittle the risks of not wearing a seatbelt while driving.
- It is unfair to belittle someone's experience with depression simply because they are a public figure.
- Her boss tried to belittle her contributions to the project, taking most of the credit for himself.