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belittle

 - 2 dictionary results

be⋅lit⋅tle

  [bi-lit-l]
Use belittle in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -tled, -tling.
to regard or portray as less impressive or important than appearances indicate; depreciate; disparage.
Origin:
1775–85, Americanism; be- + little

Related forms:
be⋅lit⋅tle⋅ment, noun
be⋅lit⋅tler, noun

Synonyms:
minimize, decry, deprecate, deride, scorn, dismiss.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To belittle
be·lit·tle   (bĭ-lĭt'l)   
tr.v.   be·lit·tled, be·lit·tling, be·lit·tles

  1. To represent or speak of as contemptibly small or unimportant; disparage: a person who belittled our efforts to do the job right.

  2. To cause to seem less than another or little: The size of the office tower belittles the surrounding buildings. See Synonyms at decry.

be·lit'tle·ment n., be·lit'tler n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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