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Antonyms for be little


Grammar : Verb
Spell : bih-lit-l
Phonetic Transcription : bɪˈlɪt l



Definition of be little

Origin :
  • 1781, "to make small," from be- + little (v.); first recorded in writings of Thomas Jefferson (and probably coined by him), who was roundly execrated for it in England:
  • Belittle! What an expression! It may be an elegant one in Virginia, and even perfectly intelligible; but for our part, all we can do is to guess at its meaning. For shame, Mr. Jefferson! ["European Magazine and London Review," 1787, reporting on "Notes on the State of Virginia"; to guess was considered another barbarous Yankeeism.]
  • Jefferson used it to characterize Buffon's view that American life was stunted by nature, which he was refuting. The figurative sense of "depreciate, scorn as worthless" (as the reviewers did to this word) is from 1797. Related: Belittled; belittling.
  • As in knock : verb criticize harshly
  • As in laugh at : verb ridicule
  • As in minimize : verb make smaller; underrate
  • As in mortify : verb embarrass
  • As in play down : verb pretend as if something were unimportant
  • As in pooh-pooh : verb dismiss
  • As in abuse : verb attack with words
  • As in put down : verb comment negatively
  • As in bad-mouth : verb to denigrate
  • As in run down : verb ridicule
  • As in scoff : verb make fun of; despise
  • As in show up : verb expose, embarrass
  • As in slander : verb make a scandalous remark
  • As in sneer : verb mock, condemn
  • As in underestimate : verb minimize; rate too low
  • As in belittle : verb detract
  • As in scandalize : verb calumniate
  • As in underrate : verb underestimate
  • As in underrate : verb devalue
  • As in undervalue : verb depreciate
  • As in cheapen : verb diminish worth
  • As in snigger : verb sneer
  • As in condemn : verb blame, convict
  • As in decry : verb criticize, blame
  • As in degrade : verb shame, humiliate
  • As in demean : verb humble, humiliate
  • As in detract : verb take away a part; lessen
  • As in disclaim : verb deny
  • As in discount : verb ignore; treat as insignificant
  • As in disdain : verb scorn
  • As in disparage : verb criticize; detract from
  • As in dwarf : verb minimize
  • As in abase : verb deprive of self-esteem, confidence

Synonyms for be little

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019