What is another word for belittlement?

Pronunciation: [bɪlˈɪtə͡lmənt] (IPA)

Belittlement refers to the act of making someone or something seem unimportant. However, there are several other words that one could use synonymously with belittlement. One such word is denigration, which means to criticize or speak badly about someone or something. Another word that can be used instead of belittlement is derogation, which refers to the act of expressing a low or disparaging opinion of someone or something. Minimization is also a good synonym for belittlement, as it means to make something seem less significant or important than it actually is. Other words that can be used interchangeably with belittlement include underestimation, deprecation, depreciation, and disdain.

What are the hypernyms for Belittlement?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.

What are the opposite words for belittlement?

Belittlement is defined as the act of making something or someone seem small or unimportant. It can be done through words or actions and often results in diminished self-esteem and confidence. Antonyms for belittlement would, therefore, be words or actions that empower, uplift, and validate individuals. Some antonyms could be praise, encouragement, support, validation, and recognition. Building someone up rather than tearing them down can have a positive impact on their self-image and help them achieve their goals. Therefore, it's essential to recognize the power of our words and actions and choose antonyms to belittlement to promote growth and success.

Usage examples for Belittlement

Carpen, is it so; these varlets who Do thoughts imprint, have o'er my head direct Appealed to those who may dire action take, And thus belittlement on me bestow?
"'A Comedy of Errors' in Seven Acts"
Spokeshave (AKA Old Fogy)
Swan, then, had availed himself of Lone's belittlement of him and was living down to it.
"Sawtooth Ranch"
B. M. Bower
"Thou art well enough as thou art," comforted her father, trying to hide his pride in her under frowning brows, and to sterilize the praise with a tone of belittlement.
"The Gringos"
B. M. Bower

Famous quotes with Belittlement

  • Since the Nazi era need never have happened, to say that he prophesised it is actually a belittlement of his creative achievement, and only one step up from saying that he caused the whole thing. But nobody could now read without thinking of the Soviet show trials, or the short works and without thinking of the death camps.
    Clive James
  • I never take offence at any genuine effort to wrest the truth or deduce a rational set of values from the confused phenomena of the external world. It never occurs to me to look for personal factors in the age-long battle for truth. I assume that all hands are really trying to achieve the same main object—the discovery of sound facts and the rejection of fallacies—and it strikes me as only a minor matter that different strivers may happen to see a different perspective now and then. And in matters of mere preference, as distinguished from those involving the question of truth versus fallacy, I do not see any ground whatever for acrimonious feeling. Knowing the capriciousness and complexity of the various biological and psychological factors determining likes, dislikes, interests, indifferences, and so on, one can only be astonished that any two persons have even approximately similar tastes. To resent another's different likes and interests is the summit of illogical absurdity. It is very easy to distinguish a sincere, impersonal difference of opinion and tastes from the arbitrary, ill-motivated, and irrational belittlement which springs from a hostile desire to push another down and which constitutes real offensiveness. I have no tolerance for such real offensiveness—but I greatly enjoy debating questions of truth and value with persons as sincere and devoid of malice as I am. Such debate is really a highly valuable—almost indispensable—ingredient of life; because it enables us to test our own opinions and amend them if we find them in any way erroneous or unjustified.
    H. P. Lovecraft

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