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Antonyms for belittle

Grammar : Verb
Spell : bih-lit-l
Phonetic Transcription : bɪˈlɪt l

Definition of belittle

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 :
  • Now, far be it from us to belittle the splendor of this scientific vision.
  • Extract from : « Understanding the Scriptures » by Francis McConnell
  • Rather it was the city person's point of view he was inclined to belittle.
  • Extract from : « Dust » by Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius
  • "It is the money-grabbers of the world who belittle empire," Duncan answered.
  • Extract from : « The Avenger » by E. Phillips Oppenheim
  • Even since the war, the English have tried to belittle the Irish.
  • Extract from : « Changing Winds » by St. John G. Ervine
  • Why, words would only belittle this part of our “performance.”
  • Extract from : « Adventures and Recollections » by Bill o'th' Hoylus End
  • In seeming to belittle him I have taken an ungrateful piece of work in hand.
  • Extract from : « My Contemporaries In Fiction » by David Christie Murray
  • The Americans did not belittle the strength of the military works.
  • Extract from : « Old Fort Snelling » by Marcus L. Hansen
  • Because jealous ones cannot equal the leader they seek to belittle him.
  • Extract from : « Evening Round Up » by William Crosbie Hunter
  • Go he had to, and it was plain to him that in striving to belittle Ray he had damaged his own cause.
  • Extract from : « Marion's Faith. » by Charles King
  • He stared at her, not able to comprehend how she could belittle a present from such a source.
  • Extract from : « The Rich Little Poor Boy » by Eleanor Gates

Synonyms for belittle

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