belittle, disparage

belittle, disparage
These words are related in meaning: "to speak of as unimportant," "to regard something as less important or impressive than it apparently is." Disparage is a stronger word than belittle in that it tends to bring reproach or discredit upon the topic being considered, whereas belittle means simply "to make less," "to minimize": "Don't belittle my efforts; I'm trying hard." "The prosecuting attorney disparaged the testimony of the witness."

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • disparage — See belittle. See belittle, disparage …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • belittle — See belittle, disparage …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • disparage — [di spar′ij] vt. disparaged, disparaging [ME disparagen < OFr desparagier, to marry one of inferior rank < des (see DIS ) + parage, rank < per, PEER1] 1. to lower in esteem; discredit 2. to speak slightingly of; show disrespect for;… …   English World dictionary

  • disparage — I verb affront, asperse, be insolent, be rude, belittle, bemock, besmear, bespatter, blacken, blot, bring reproach upon, calumniate, cavil, censure, cheapen, condemn, contemn, criticize, debase, decry, defame, deflate, degrade, denigrate,… …   Law dictionary

  • belittle — index cavil, condescend (patronize), contemn, decry, defame, demean (make lower), demote, denigrate …   Law dictionary

  • disparage — early 14c., degrade socially, from O.Fr. desparagier (Mod.Fr. déparager) reduce in rank, degrade, devalue, depreciate, originally to marry unequally, and thus by extension the disgrace or dishonor involved in this, from des away (see DIS (Cf. dis …   Etymology dictionary

  • belittle — depreciate, disparage, derogate, detract, minimize, *decry Analogous words: underestimate, undervalue, underrate (see base words at ESTIMATE): diminish, reduce, lessen, *decrease Antonyms: aggrandize, magnify Contrasted words: *exalt: heighten,… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • disparage — *decry, depreciate, derogate, detract, belittle, minimize Analogous words: asperse, *malign, traduce, defame, slander, libel: deprecate, *disapprove Antonyms: applaud Contrasted words: *praise, laud, extol, eulogize, acclaim: *commend, compliment …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • belittle — [v] detract bad mouth, blister, criticize, cut down to size*, cut to the quick*, decry, deprecate, depreciate, deride, derogate, diminish, discount, discredit, disparage, dispraise, downgrade, downplay, dump on*, knock*, lower, minimize, pan,… …   New thesaurus

  • disparage — [v] criticize; detract from abuse, belittle, chill*, cry down, decry, defame, degrade, deject, demoralize, denigrate, deprecate, depreciate, deride, derogate, dis*, discourage, discredit, disdain, dishearten, dismiss, dispirit, dispraise, downcry …   New thesaurus

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