To belittle is to make someone or something seem unimportant or insignificant. It involves diminishing the value, importance, or standing of an individual, idea, or group, often through disparaging remarks, dismissive behavior, or condescending language. The act aims to undermine confidence, erode self-esteem, or portray a subject as lacking merit. It can manifest in various ways, from subtle put-downs to overt insults, and can occur in personal relationships, professional settings, and public discourse. The impact of belittling behavior can range from minor annoyance to significant emotional distress, depending on its frequency, intensity, and context.
Be-littler meaning with examples
- Sarah's constant jokes at Mark's expense at work were designed to be funny but really served to be-little his ideas during meetings. She consistently minimized his contributions, making him hesitant to share his thoughts. This eroded his confidence and made it difficult to advance in his career or to feel successful.
- The professor's tendency to be-little his students' efforts with sarcastic comments created a hostile learning environment. His remarks, such as "That's a rather simplistic answer," discouraged participation and dampened their enthusiasm for the subject. Many felt afraid to ask questions for fear of ridicule.
- In their attempt to be-little their opponents' arguments during the debate, the candidates resorted to personal attacks, dismissing them as uninformed. They chose to emphasize the other person's lack of experience instead of focusing on the issues, thereby undermining their legitimacy in front of the country.
- Despite her talent, the editor often be-littled the author's manuscript. He found fault in her plot ideas with overly critical and overly broad, sweeping feedback, making her question her abilities. The harsh critique diminished the author's creative confidence, and she struggled to write under such harsh pressures.