Some people do it because they are insecure or jealous. They are trying to feel better about themselves by putting you down. Some do it because they are trying to impress someone or get attention. For example, the coworker that criticizes your work in front of the supervisor.
To belittle means to put down, or to make another person feel as though they aren't important. Saying mean things about another person literally makes them feel "little." To belittle someone is a cruel way of making someone else seem less important than yourself.
If someone belittles you, you are better off using humor to deflect it, telling them upfront you don't appreciate it, or deflecting it right back on them. An example of deflecting it back on them is just to use the try-hard aspect of their put-down against them.
It's a Way to Deal With Their Insecurity
Insecure people don't think much of themselves, so they use others to make themselves feel better. They may put others down because it makes them feel more powerful and in control, but it can also be a way for insecure people to divert attention away from themselves.
Belittling is the intentional act of making another feel worthless, empty, and dismissed. It is one of many forms of psychological and emotional abuse.
They may be insecure in the relationship and need to control the other person to maintain their status or power within it. They may believe that making someone else feel small will help them appear more capable or successful in comparison.
A narcissist will manipulate and control others to feel good, which is why they can be abusive in relationships. They can use aggression and be rude, offensive, and belittling towards their partners to wear down their self-worth. This can turn into a sadistic, abusive relationship.
An individual with low self-esteem may feel the need to make others feel bad about themselves, too—they may want others to feel just as hurt as they do about themselves. This could also come from a desire to get any form of attention in order to feel more valued and loved, to make up for the low self-esteem.
They are insecure. They are jealous. They are trying to feel better about themselves by putting you down. They want to impress you or get your attention.
But belittling is no joking matter. It's a tactic often used by abusers to make their victims feel small, unimportant or disrespected. It can take a toll on a survivor's confidence and sense of self-esteem. And, as with other forms of abuse, it's a tool abusers use to exert control.
Definition of character assassination. as in defamation. the making of false statements that damage another's reputation the actor's lawyers charge that the tabloid engaged in a deliberate campaign of character assassination. defamation. libel.
A narcissist feels and believes that they are better, more important than others, or otherwise unique; therefore they feel entitled to special treatment. So when they feel the need to regulate their shaky self-esteem, they tend to act entitled to make others feel worse.
Narcissists are highly sensitive to criticism or any perceived threat to their self-image, and they will go to great lengths to protect it. If you criticize them or challenge their dominance, you will trigger a defensive response.
Narcissists hate strong people that are not afraid to set boundaries and let them know their behavior is not acceptable. Since they crave power and control and may use manipulation or other tactics to maintain it.
Some common synonyms of belittle are decry, depreciate, and disparage.
On this page you'll find 105 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to belittle, such as: criticize, decry, deride, discredit, disparage, and downplay.
When you're unbothered, it shows in everything you do. You're more confident, relaxed and at ease with yourself. You're more at ease with other people and the world around you too. When we think of being bothered, we tend to think of something negative—something that makes us feel bad or uncomfortable.
Even your worldview can become skewed by their incessant lack of enthusiasm. Under the influence of a negative person, you might even second guess yourself on important decisions, feel sad, uncomfortable or depressed.
Regular or even constant negative thinking can also be a sign of anxiety, depression, stress or low self-esteem. This sounds a bit strange, but negativity can also be contagious.