Synonyms of belittling

belittling 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ 

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

• slighting
• insulting
• demeaning
• disparaging
• degrading
• derogatory
• malicious
• contemptuous
• abusive
• uncomplimentary
• critical
• disdainful
• pejorative
• scornful
• deprecatory
• depreciatory
• derogative
• hateful
• derisory
• venomous
• denigratory
• depreciative
• decrying
• libelous
• detractive
• nasty
• cruel
• denigrative
• slanderous
• unkind
• spiteful
• slandering
• defamatory
• vilifying
• scurrilous
• maligning
• malign
• calumnious
• mean
• malevolent
• jealous
• malignant
• opprobrious
• catty
• virulent
• envious
• despiteful
• bitter
• resentful
• denunciatory
• caustic
• aspersing
• scathing
• acrimonious
• rancorous
• acrid
• jaundiced
• denunciative

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laudatory
• commendatory
• positive
• complimentary
• admiring
• friendly
• approving
• respectful
• appreciative
• adulatory
• applauding
• kind
• laudative
• sympathetic
• warm
• kindly
• kindhearted
• warmhearted
• unmalicious

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

• dismissing
• minimizing
• diminishing
• criticizing
• disparaging
• denigrating
• discounting
• derogating
• denouncing
• decrying
• depreciating
• deprecating
• condemning
• bad-mouthing
• running down
• trashing
• talking down
• dissing
• trash-talking
• disliking
• crying down
• dumping on
• playing down
• discrediting
• scolding
• writing off
• poor-mouthing
• vilipending
• abusing
• putting down
• slandering
• kissing off
• maligning
• vilifying
• disgracing
• censuring
• defaming
• disapproving (of)
• slurring
• ripping
• discommending
• traducing
• aspersing
• reprobating
• reprehending

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praising
• applauding
• extolling
• exalting
• glorifying
• approving
• magnifying
• recommending
• endorsing
• favoring
• lauding
• sanctioning
• commending
• acclaiming
• complimenting
• countenancing
• eulogizing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of belittling

Adjective

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

The boundaries revolve around disrespectful or belittling speech. — Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 28 Sep. 2020

Verb

People who post puerile, profane or belittling comments are protesters on a virtual street. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026

Though Paulina typically spends her days belittling her friends and humiliating Nana, presently, her focus is on something grander. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

Trump, who seems to enjoy belittling reporters more than most other aspects of his job, lives for television coverage. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Abby is introduced as Lizzie’s cruel stepmother, whose constant critiques and belittling remarks push her to do the unthinkable. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026

Even the teammate who bestowed a belittling nickname upon him can’t wrap his head around Messick’s first year in the majors. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

His work has often been criticized for belittling women and invading the privacy of others. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 6 Aug. 2026

The list of analysts who have spent years belittling Allen is extensive. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026

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