Antonyms for belittling

Grammar : Verb

Spell : bih-lit-l

Phonetic Transcription : bɪˈlɪt l

Definition of belittling

Origin : 1781, "to make small," from be- + little (v.); first recorded in writings of Thomas Jefferson (and probably coined by him), who was roundly execrated for it in England:
Belittle! What an expression! It may be an elegant one in Virginia, and even perfectly intelligible; but for our part, all we can do is to guess at its meaning. For shame, Mr. Jefferson! ["European Magazine and London Review," 1787, reporting on "Notes on the State of Virginia"; to guess was considered another barbarous Yankeeism.]
Jefferson used it to characterize Buffon's view that American life was stunted by nature, which he was refuting. The figurative sense of "depreciate, scorn as worthless" (as the reviewers did to this word) is from 1797. Related: Belittled; belittling.

verb detract

Example sentences :

It was almost a disappointment—a belittling of his recent experience.
Extract from : « Victory » by Joseph Conrad

A woman must understand that she lowers herself by belittling her sisters.
Extract from : « The Choice of Life » by Georgette Leblanc

It is almost like belittling the greatest of marvels to call it a stroke of genius.
Extract from : « Stories Of Georgia » by Joel Chandler Harris

It would be too belittling, too disparaging of self-respect.
Extract from : « In Her Own Right » by John Reed Scott

But the expression just used must not be taken as belittling.
Extract from : « A History of the French Novel, Vol. 2 » by George Saintsbury

His eagerness to advance his own cause should never lead him into belittling them.
Extract from : « The Book of Business Etiquette » by Nella Henney

The worth of his evidence must be discredited by belittling the disturbing witness.
Extract from : « The Behavior of Crowds » by Everett Dean Martin

That's a little and belittling way the world has with all who wish to save it.
Extract from : « Discourses of Keidansky » by Bernard G. Richards

When a Chinaman wishes to pay a compliment, he does so by belittling himself and his belongings.
Extract from : « Mike » by P. G. Wodehouse

We object here to the tendency of belittling the human mind.
Extract from : « The Positive Outcome of Philosophy » by Joseph Dietzgen

Synonyms for belittling

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019