What is the meaning of belittling?

noun

• A belittling comment.
  • synonyms: denigration
• The act of belittling.

verb

• Cause to seem less serious; play down.
  • usage: "Don't belittle his influence"
  • synonyms: minimize, belittle, denigrate, derogate
• Express a negative opinion of.
  • usage: "She disparaged her student's efforts"
  • synonyms: disparage, belittle, pick at
• Lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of.
  • usage: "don't belittle your colleagues"
  • synonyms: diminish, belittle

adjective

• Tending to diminish or disparage.
  • usage: "belittling comments"; "managed a deprecating smile at the compliment"; "deprecatory remarks about the book"; "a slighting remark"
  • synonyms: deprecating, deprecative, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory, slighting