Antonyms for belittler


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


Definition of belittler

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.
  • As in niggler : noun critic
  • As in nitpicker : noun critic
  • As in quibbler : noun critic
  • As in critic : noun faultfinder, detractor

Synonyms for belittler

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