putdown
Snide cutting remark
A putdown is a remark intended to humiliate or belittle someone: That wasn't a joke, it was a putdown.
The term captures the downward motion of lowering someone's status or self-esteem.
As a verb phrase, to put someone down is to criticize or demean them: She's always putting him down in front of others.
Deliberate dismissive rejection
Lower in standing
- diminishTo make smaller
- disparageExpress low opinion of
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
- dismissSend away or reject
undermine · degrade · trivialize · minimize · deprecate · discredit · devalue · humiliate
Express sharp disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- admonishmentExpression of disapproval or warning
scolding · chiding · rebuff · tongue-lashing · telling-off · castigation · disapproval · faultfinding
snub
Deliberate dismissive rejection
barb · cut · slam · diss · burn · zinger · crack · jibe · taunt · affront
roast
Dry-heat cooking method
wisecrack · ribbing · sarcasm · wit · banter · jab · dig · one-liner · comeback · punchline
demean
Lower in standing
dismiss · undermine · degrade · trivialize · minimize · deprecate · discredit · devalue · humiliate · condescend
rebuke
Express sharp disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
admonishment · scolding · chiding · rebuff · tongue-lashing · telling-off · castigation · disapproval · faultfinding · nitpicking
- tauntstaunts, taunt, taunting, neener neener, insults
- verbal jabsinsult, burn, dis, roast, slam
- Downdownward, downhill, downstairs, downstream, downwind
- Put-downsinsult, sneer, scorn, disdain, contempt
- low blowscheap shot, low blow, sucker punch, below the belt, hit below the belt
- snarksarcasm, snark, jab, barb, dig
putdowncompliment
Words expressing approval
praise · flattery · accolade · tribute · commendation
putdownboost
Upward push or increase
uplift · encouragement · affirmation · validation · ego boost