put-down
Cutting remark made
A put-down is a remark intended to humiliate or belittle someone: That wasn't a joke, it was a put-down.
The term captures comments designed to make someone feel small or foolish, whether delivered as cutting wit or blunt dismissal.
She's mastered the art of the subtle put-down.
Deliberate dismissive rejection
zinger · cutting remark · cheap shot · slam · burn · diss · comeback · one-liner
To make smaller
- undermineWeaken by stealth
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
- trivializeMake light of
deprecate · deflate · discount · brush off · talk down · condescend · patronize · dismiss
Painful awareness of failure
- embarrassCause social discomfort
- mortifyCause severe embarrassment
- degradeLower in standing
- demeanLower in standing
abase · disgrace · crush · squash · cut down to size · take down a peg · humble · embarrassment
snub
Deliberate dismissive rejection
slight · zinger · cutting remark · cheap shot · slam · burn · diss · comeback · one-liner · wisecrack
diminish
To make smaller
trivialize · deprecate · deflate · discount · brush off · talk down · condescend · patronize · dismiss · make light of
shame
Painful awareness of failure
demean · abase · disgrace · crush · squash · cut down to size · take down a peg · humble · embarrassment · public shaming
rebuke
Express sharp disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
scold · chide · berate · admonish · condemn · denounce · disapproval · faultfinding · nitpick · tear apart
- humorjoke, jokes, joking, comedy, comic
- comedy tropespratfall, parody, sight gag, running gag, satire
- dismissive behaviorssnub, scorn, ignore, disdain, dismissal
- jokesjokes, joke, puns, one-liners, pun
- remarksremark, comment, statement, observation, note
- social wrongsrudeness, disrespect, insults, insult, lying
put-downcompliment
Words expressing approval
praise · build-up · ego boost · flattery · commendation
put-downencouragement
Support spurring continued effort
affirmation · validation · reassurance · uplift · boost