belittle

The definition of belittle means to speak about someone or something in a way to make it seem less important.

(verb)

An example of belitte is a teacher who chooses to make fun of her brightest student's accomplishments.

See belittle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

☆

to make seem little, less important, etc.; speak slightingly of; depreciate

Origin: coined (c. 1780) by Thomas Jefferson

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See belittle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb be·lit·tled, be·lit·tling, be·lit·tles

To represent or speak of as contemptibly small or unimportant; disparage: a person who belittled our efforts to do the job right.
To cause to seem less than another or little: The size of the office tower belittles the surrounding buildings. See Synonyms at decry.

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