belittle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "belittle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the act of making someone or something seem less important or less worthy. Example: "It's not fair to belittle her achievements just because they are different from yours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Independent

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The catchment of indiscretion that is Twitter also exposes just how frequently gender warriors belittle other women.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I certainly did not intend to belittle the difficulties some people have in making ends meet".

The Guardian - Business

But the principlists hate and despise Mr Mashaei, dubbing him a "source of deviation" for his relatively liberal views on personal freedoms and his statements that seem to belittle clerical authority.Not long ago an election fight that included Messrs Rafsanjani and Mashaei seemed unthinkable.

The Economist

As the education ministry begins its most ambitious reforms in more than half a century, there are understandable worries that Japan will fritter away its record of success.The reformers do not belittle these achievements.

The Economist

You may belittle this description of him but as the turbulent events of the past two years have made clear he is one person the country could not have done without.

The Economist

Not only does he belittle the protesters as hoodlums and drunks (he even suggested they had drunk beer and copulated in an Ottoman-era mosque) but he has turned his ire on the foreign press two Canadian journalists were briefly arrested.

The Economist

Another tendency is to belittle the contribution that amateurs make.

The Economist

I don't want to belittle the importance of all this (once you start noticing these things, you see the Pantone influence in everything from TV soap operas to car interiors), but it is hard to suppress a chuckle at the words that accompany the annual announcement of the "colour of the year".

The Economist

The Manichean scheme that he paints sums up the debate that will surely decide the future of England's politics.Mr Parris is careful not to belittle the residents of the faded Essex resort, but to describe it as he saw it: poor, nostalgic and occupied by white, working-class and mostly elderly folk.

The Economist

In terms of emissions caused, you would have to deny yourself over 100,000 of them to make up for a holiday in Australia.Yet it still seems wrong to belittle the bag-bashers.

The Economist

Does the "beautification" of subjects belittle them?For me the goal is to get as many people as possible to pay attention and to stop what they are reading, to engage and to ask questions, so I don't think it has anything to do with belittling people.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for constructive criticism, avoid language that could unintentionally "belittle" someone's efforts. Focus on providing specific feedback and positive suggestions for improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "belittle" when your intention is to provide constructive feedback. Ensure your language is respectful and focuses on improvement, rather than diminishing someone's efforts. Focus on providing solutions and positive suggestions to avoid inadvertently "belittling" someone.

Linguistic Context

The verb "belittle" functions to diminish the importance or significance of someone or something. It's often used to express disapproval or disagreement by making the subject seem less worthy, as Ludwig's examples illustrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Independent

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "belittle" is a verb used to describe the act of making someone or something seem less important or worthy. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, primarily in news and media contexts. When using "belittle", it's crucial to consider the potential negative impact and ensure your language remains respectful, especially when providing feedback. Alternatives such as "downplay", "trivialize", and "diminish" can offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas without necessarily implying contempt. Finally, remember that using "belittle" implies negativity. Use alternative approaches when providing constructive feedback.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

downplay

Focuses on reducing the apparent significance of something.

trivialize

Implies treating something as less serious or important than it is.

diminish

Emphasizes making something smaller or less significant.

disparage

Highlights speaking negatively about something to reduce its perceived value.

underestimate

Focuses on incorrectly assessing something as less than its true value.

make light of

Suggests treating something serious in a humorous or dismissive way.

minimize

Involves reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree.

denigrate

Implies actively attacking someone's reputation or worth.

derogate

Focuses on detracting from someone's merit or authority.

underrate

Highlights failing to appreciate the true value or importance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "belittle" in a sentence?

You can use "belittle" to describe the act of making someone or something seem less important. For example, "It's not fair to "belittle" her achievements just because they are different from yours".

What are some alternatives to the word "belittle"?

You can use alternatives like "downplay", "trivialize", or "diminish" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "belittle" and "criticize"?

"Belittle" implies making something seem unimportant or insignificant, while "criticize" involves expressing disapproval or finding fault. One can criticize without intending to "belittle".

Is it always negative to "belittle" something?

Yes, "belittle" generally has a negative connotation. It suggests an unfair or dismissive reduction of someone or something's worth. While it can be used for humorous effect, it's generally not used in a positive or neutral way.