belittling

Meanings

• Verb

  To make someone feel insignificant or unimportant by belittling their abilities, ideas, or accomplishments.

  - "He belittled her ideas in front of the team, which made her feel demotivated."
  - "She refused to belittle her younger brother, even when he made mistakes."

• Verb

  To speak or act in a way that intentionally puts down or undermines someone's worth or abilities.

  - "His boss constantly belittled him in front of his colleagues, which affected his self-confidence."
  - "She refused to belittle herself, even when faced with criticism."

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Antonyms

exaggerate

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Synonyms

bagatellize , degrade , denigrate , deprecate , disparage , downplay , make light of , play down , trivialize , understate

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with belittling
littling , riddling , middling , siddling

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Variants

List of all variants of belittling that leads to same result
belittling , belittlingly , belittlings , belittle , belittled , belittlement , belittlements , belittler , belittlers , belittles

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

The term 'belittling' comes from the Old French word 'bel et petit,' meaning 'pretty and little.' Initially, the term was used to describe someone who was small and insignificant. Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to the act of making someone feel small or insignificant.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. Belittling is not limited to verbal communication. It can also take the form of nonverbal communication, such as rolling one's eyes or making a face.

2. Belittling can be a form of gaslighting, which involves manipulating someone's perception of reality to make them doubt their own sanity.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Bullying: Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior that involves intentionally causing harm to someone, often through verbal or emotional means. Belittling is a common form of bullying.

2. Emotional abuse: Emotional abuse is a form of abuse that involves using words or actions to undermine someone's self-worth or self-esteem. Belittling is a common form of emotional abuse.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Belittling is a common form of bullying and can have serious negative effects on a person's self-esteem and mental health. It is often used as a tool of power and control in relationships, workplaces, and social situations. Belittling has been a theme in literature and art, with works such as Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' and Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart' exploring the consequences of belittling and manipulation.

How to Memorize "belittling"

1. visualize
   

   - To visualize belittling, imagine someone making derogatory comments about your abilities or ideas, making you feel small and insignificant.

2. associate
   

   - To associate belittling with negative emotions such as sadness, frustration, and anger, and positive emotions such as empathy and compassion.

3. mnemonics
   

   - To remember the meaning of belittling, use the acronym BELITTLES: 'B' for belittling, 'E' for emotional, 'L' for manipulation, 'I' for intentional, 'T' for taking down, 'T' for talking down, and 'S' for undermining self-worth.

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