put downs
Belittling verbal jabs
Put downs are remarks intended to belittle or humiliate someone, making them feel foolish or inferior: She's always ready with a put down when someone disagrees with her.
The term emphasizes the downward motion—lowering someone's status or self-esteem.
Also spelled as one word: putdowns.
Mocking, provoking remarks
- slursDemeaning identity-based insults
- jabsQuick, straight punches
- digsInformal term for home
- barbsSharp points or jibes
zingers · jibes · snide remarks · cheap shots · cutting remarks · backhanded compliments · sarcasm · mockery
Aggressive repeated intimidation
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- power playsAggressive moves for advantage
- one-upmanshipQuest to surpass others
- pecking orderSocial dominance arrangement
flexing · steamrolling · browbeating · strong-arming · lording over · posturing · chest-puffing
Causing feelings of disgrace
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- degradationDecline in condition
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- disgraceLoss of honor
public ridicule · abasement · indignity · demoralization · crushing · devastating · withering · soul-crushing
Demeaning air of superiority
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
- dismissivenessAttitude of casual disregard
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
- underminingWeakening by covert means
trivializing · minimizing · deprecating · deflating · brushing off · discounting · devaluing · downplaying
taunts
Mocking, provoking remarks
barbs · zingers · jibes · snide remarks · cheap shots · cutting remarks · backhanded compliments · sarcasm · mockery · ridicule
bullying
Aggressive repeated intimidation
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- power playsAggressive moves for advantage
- one-upmanshipQuest to surpass others
pecking order · flexing · steamrolling · browbeating · strong-arming · lording over · posturing · chest-puffing
shaming
Causing feelings of disgrace
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- degradationDecline in condition
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
disgrace · public ridicule · abasement · indignity · demoralization · crushing · devastating · withering · soul-crushing
condescension
Demeaning air of superiority
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
- dismissivenessAttitude of casual disregard
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
undermining · trivializing · minimizing · deprecating · deflating · brushing off · discounting · devaluing · downplaying · snubbing
- jokesjokes, joke, puns, one-liners, pun
- red flagsred flags, warning signs, warning, caution, alarm
- social crueltybullying, harassment, humiliation, shaming, mocking
- rudenessrude, discourtesy, impolite, rudeness, disrespect
- defamationslander, libel, defamation, defamatory statement, defaming
- reproofsscolding, rebuke, reprimand, admonishment, admonition
put downscompliments
Expressions of admiration
praise · flattery · kind words · encouragement · accolades
put downsempowerment
Gaining authority or confidence
affirmation · support · backing · championing · boosting
put downsencouragement
Support spurring continued effort
affirmations · validation · uplift · support · pep talks
put, down, puts, putting, putter, downs, downed, downing, downer