Synonyms for be little

Grammar : Verb

Spell : bih-lit-l

Phonetic Transcription : bɪˈlɪt l

Top 10 synonyms for be little

Other synonyms for the word be little

Définition of be little

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 knock : verb criticize harshly
As in laugh at : verb ridicule
As in minimize : verb make smaller; underrate
As in mortify : verb embarrass
As in play down : verb pretend as if something were unimportant
As in pooh-pooh : verb dismiss
As in abuse : verb attack with words
As in put down : verb comment negatively
As in bad-mouth : verb to denigrate
As in run down : verb ridicule
As in scoff : verb make fun of; despise
As in show up : verb expose, embarrass
As in slander : verb make a scandalous remark
As in sneer : verb mock, condemn
As in underestimate : verb minimize; rate too low
As in belittle : verb detract
As in scandalize : verb calumniate
As in underrate : verb underestimate
As in underrate : verb devalue
As in undervalue : verb depreciate
As in cheapen : verb diminish worth
As in snigger : verb sneer
As in condemn : verb blame, convict
As in decry : verb criticize, blame
As in degrade : verb shame, humiliate
As in demean : verb humble, humiliate
As in detract : verb take away a part; lessen
As in disclaim : verb deny
As in discount : verb ignore; treat as insignificant
As in disdain : verb scorn
As in disparage : verb criticize; detract from
As in dwarf : verb minimize
As in abase : verb deprive of self-esteem, confidence

Antonyms for be little

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