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• v  cause to seem less serious; play down
  Don't belittle his influence
• v  express a negative opinion of
• v  lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of
  don't belittle your colleagues

• The idea was very promising but the board belittled it by not approving its implementation.
• I certainly don't belittle their choice.
• At Guantnamo Bay, the early interrogators not only abused the detainees, they tried to belittle their religious beliefs.

• minimize
• denigrate
• derogate
• disparage
• pick at
• diminish

• flatter

News & Articles

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• UK lawmakers recall Murdoch to journalism hearing
  Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch has been recalled to the U.K. parliament to clarify evidence he gave about alleged crimes by his journalists following the emergence of a secret tape in which he appeared to belittle the police inquiry.
  July 9, 2013 - NBC NEWS

Quotes

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• Al Sharpton in France24
  As an artist and activist she refused roles that would belittle her family name and tradition,Sharpton said.
• Robert Byrd in 570 News
  Now that he or the administration he represents no longer needs their vote, Mr. Cheney apparently feels that he is now free to mock and belittle the people of West Virginia,Byrd said.
• Piers Morgan in WELT ONLINE
  In his blog, Morgan wrote: "Let me tell you now, there is a downside to fame. People start criticising you, sniping at you, trying to trip you up, belittle you, harass you."