belittle

Meaning

1. (transitive) To knowingly say that something is smaller or less important than it actually is, especially as a way of showing contempt or deprecation.
2. (transitive) To make small.

Opposite of

exaggerate

Synonyms

disparage

despise

depreciate

look down on

denigrate

minimize

diminish

underestimate

deprecate

derogate

slight

scorn

run down

underrate

insult

understate

humiliate

decry

disdain

speak against

make light of

devalue

undervalue

trivialize

trivialise

small

criticize

play down

pick at

degrade

speak slightingly of

hold in contempt

bad-mouth

debase

defame

detract

discredit

disgrace

downplay

laugh at

look down

look down upon

make fun

snub

spurn

traduce

vilify

abase

speak disparagingly of

lessen

Translations

herabsetzen

sminuire

déprécier

schmälern

amoindrir

dénigrer

υποτιμώ

verniedlichen

depreciar

rabaisser

minimizar

kleineren

δυσφημώ

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bɪˈlɪt.əl/

Etymology

From be- + little. Coined by Thomas Jefferson in 1782