/belittle/definition

belittle

-) Verb.

-) Pronunciation and accent: bɪlɪt(ə)l or (American) bɪlɪd(ə)l.

-) Etymology: it is analysed into be- (prefix) + LITTLE.

-) Transitively: 1. To make little or small in size, or to appear so; to diminish. (It is rare).

-) 2. To treat, speak of, or think of (someone or something) contemptuously; to represent as of less value

-) Synonyms: to depreciate, underrate, undervalue.

-) Antonyms: to overvalue, exaggerate, over-estimate (a thing); extol, enhance, exalt (a person).

-) Translation: déprécier, in French; menospreciar, in Spanish; sminuire, in Italian.

[…] wily politicians were seeking to belittle him in the estimation of the people…

Allan Pinkerton… The Spy of the Rebellion

But why should she want to belittle a young girl like Rachel Ray,--a girl that her own daughters call their friend? I'll tell you why, mother. Because Rachel Ray was admired and they were not.

Anthony Trollope… Rachel Ray

[…] if they had been at all inclined to belittle the danger of their position, were made to realize it when thirty or more Navajos came flocking in from all quarters.

Bower… The Heritage of the Sioux

You sure enough belittle me, if you think you'd have a chance in a million of getting away from me!"

Bower… The Quirt

[…] in truth, I was more concerned with the comparison of myself to a restaurateur of the crude new city of New York, which might belittle rather than distinguish me, I suspected.

Harry Wilson… Ruggles of Red Gap

His only relief was to belittle the importance of his loss.

Harry Wilson… The Spenders

I have fears, other fears. Nor are they idle. Nor are they to be belittled.

Ridgwell Cullum… The Men Who Wrought

-) Words derived from the verb BELITTLE: beˈlittling, beˈlittlement, belittler.