To belittle someone means to make them feel unimportant or insignificant; to diminish their accomplishments, worth, or contributions. It involves actions or words that undermine a person's confidence and self-esteem, often by trivializing their efforts or pointing out their flaws in a condescending manner. The act of belittling aims to reduce a person's perceived value, often driven by feelings of insecurity, jealousy, or a desire to exert power and control over others. This can manifest as subtle sarcasm, open criticism, or dismissive gestures, all contributing to a feeling of inadequacy in the individual being belittled.
Belittled meaning with examples
- She felt deeply belittled when her manager openly dismissed her carefully researched proposal during the team meeting, stating it was 'too theoretical' without offering any constructive criticism.
- The older sibling often belittled their younger sibling's artistic talent, calling their paintings 'childish scribbles' which discouraged them from pursuing their passion further.
- He consistently belittled her achievements in her career, suggesting that her success was due to luck or connections rather than her hard work and skill in the field.
- During the debate, the politician belittled their opponent's policy ideas, resorting to personal attacks and sarcastic remarks instead of addressing the substance of their arguments.
Belittled Synonyms
degraded depreciated devalued diminished disparaged minimized mocked ridiculed slighted trivialized underminedBelittled Antonyms
appreciated commended elevated esteemed exalted honored lauded magnified praised valuedBelittled Crossword Answers
5 Letters
SMALL
6 Letters
ABASED
7 Letters
DERIDED
8 Letters
DEMEANED
9 Letters
CHEAPENED
10 Letters
DIMINISHED
11 Letters
DRESSEDDOWN