Belittling — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun verb /bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ/ be·lit·tling

Meaning & Definition of Belittling

Belittling (adjective)

  1. expressing disparagement, disparaging, depreciatory

Belittling (noun)

  1. a disparaging statement, disparagement, deprecation

Belittling (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: contemptuous, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigrative, denigratory, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory, derisory, derogative, derogatory, detractive, disdainful, disparaging, pejorative, scornful, slighting, uncomplimentary
    related: aspersing, calumnious, defamatory, insulting, libelous, maligning, slandering, slanderous, vilifying, abusive, opprobrious, scurrilous, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, unkind, virulent, critical, denunciative, denunciatory, acrimonious, bitter, envious, jaundiced, jealous, rancorous, resentful, acrid, caustic, scathing, venomous
    opposite: commendatory, complimentary, laudative, laudatory
    near: admiring, adulatory, applauding, approving, friendly, positive, appreciative, respectful, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, unmalicious, warm, warmhearted

Belittling (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to express scornfully one's low opinion of

    "belittled the action star's acting ability"

    similar: bad-mouthing, crying down, decrying, denigrating, deprecating, depreciating, derogating, diminishing, discounting, dismissing, disparaging, dissing (slang), kissing off, minimizing, playing down, poor-mouthing, putting down, running down, talking down, trashing, trash-talking, vilipending, writing off, dumping on
    related: discommending, abusing, scolding, disapproving (of), disliking, censuring, condemning, criticizing, denouncing, reprehending, reprobating, aspersing, defaming, maligning, ripping, slandering, slurring, traducing, vilifying, discrediting, disgracing
    opposite: acclaiming, applauding, exalting, extolling, glorifying, lauding, magnifying, praising
    near: approving, countenancing, endorsing, favoring, recommending, sanctioning, commending, complimenting, eulogizing

Related Entry: Belittle (verb)

Belittle is a different word from Belittling. The synonyms below are for belittle, not for belittling.

  1. to express scornfully one's low opinion of

    "belittled the action star's acting ability"

    similar: bad-mouth, cry down, decry, denigrate, deprecate, depreciate, derogate, diminish, dis (slang), discount, dismiss, disparage, kiss off, minimize, play down, poor-mouth, put down, run down, talk down, trash, trash-talk, vilipend, write off, dump on
    related: discommend, abuse, scold, disapprove (of), dislike, censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, reprehend, reprobate, asperse, defame, malign, rip, slander, slur, traduce, vilify, discredit, disgrace
    opposite: acclaim, applaud, exalt, extol, glorify, laud, magnify, praise
    near: approve, countenance, endorse, favor, recommend, sanction, commend, compliment, eulogize

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Belittling

The most common words with a similar meaning to Belittling:

Slang: dissing
contemptuous, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigrative, denigratory, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory, derisory, derogative, derogatory, detractive, disdainful, disparaging, pejorative, scornful, slighting, uncomplimentary, bad-mouthing, crying down, denigrating, deprecating, depreciating, derogating, diminishing, discounting, dismissing, kissing off, minimizing, playing down, poor-mouthing, putting down, running down, talking down, trashing, trash-talking, vilipending, writing off, dumping on

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Belittling

Words with the opposite meaning of Belittling:

commendatory, complimentary, laudative, laudatory, acclaiming, applauding, exalting, extolling, glorifying, lauding, magnifying, praising

Related Words for Belittling

aspersing, calumnious, defamatory, insulting, libelous, maligning, slandering, slanderous, vilifying, abusive, opprobrious, scurrilous, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, unkind, virulent, critical, denunciative, denunciatory, acrimonious, bitter

Near Antonyms of Belittling

admiring, adulatory, approving, friendly, positive, appreciative, respectful, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, unmalicious, warm, warmhearted, countenancing, endorsing, favoring, recommending, sanctioning, commending, complimenting, eulogizing

Word Forms of Belittling

Derived words: belittlingly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Belittling

First known use: 1793

Frequently Asked Questions about Belittling

What does "Belittling" mean?

"Belittling" means expressing disparagement, disparaging, depreciatory. As an an adjective, a noun and a verb, it is defined as: expressing disparagement, disparaging, depreciatory. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Belittling"?

Other words for "Belittling" include contemptuous, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigrative, denigratory, deprecatory and depreciative. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Belittling" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Belittling"?

There are 97 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Belittling". Common alternatives include contemptuous, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigrative, denigratory, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory and derisory.

What is the opposite of "Belittling"?

Antonyms of "Belittling" include commendatory, complimentary, laudative, laudatory, acclaiming, applauding, exalting and extolling. Near antonyms include admiring, adulatory, approving and friendly.

How do you use "Belittling" in a sentence?

Examples of "Belittling" in a sentence: "there's no need for belittling comments about your brother's trumpet playing"; "belittled the action star's acting ability".

Is "Belittling" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Belittling" can be used as an adjective, a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Belittling"?

"Belittling" is pronounced /bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ/ and divided into syllables as be·lit·tling.

What is the origin of the word "Belittling"?

First known use: 1793.