putdowns
Demeaning remarks delivered
Putdowns are remarks intended to make someone feel foolish or inferior.
They range from subtle digs to open insults: His putdowns were disguised as jokes.
A putdown artist specializes in clever deflation of others.
The term can also describe any dismissive rejection: The proposal met with immediate putdowns from management.
Insulting provocation
Contemptuous mocking treatment
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- sneeringExpressing scorn facially
- jeeringVocal public mockery
taunting · scoffing · lampooning · satirizing · caricature · parody · sarcasm · irony
Demeaning air of superiority
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
- dismissivenessAttitude of casual disregard
- minimizationMaking as small as possible
- trivializationMaking something seem minor
undermining · talking down · deflation · downplaying · diminishment · deprecation · demeaning · infantilizing
Descriptive tag for someone
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- smearSpread or defame
- aspersionDefamatory remark
name-calling · ethnic slur · racial slur · hate speech · pejorative · stigmatizing · labeling · stereotyping
Self-conscious unease
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- shamingCausing feelings of disgrace
- degradationDecline in condition
- disgraceLoss of honor
abasement · indignity · dishonor · chagrin · discomfiture · demoralization · crushing · devastation
taunt
Insulting provocation
zinger · dig · jibe · gibe · quip · snub · slight · cut · burn · diss
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
jeering · taunting · scoffing · lampooning · satirizing · caricature · parody · sarcasm · irony · snark
condescension
Demeaning air of superiority
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
- dismissivenessAttitude of casual disregard
- minimizationMaking as small as possible
trivialization · undermining · talking down · deflation · downplaying · diminishment · deprecation · demeaning · infantilizing · eye-roll
epithet
Descriptive tag for someone
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- smearSpread or defame
aspersion · name-calling · ethnic slur · racial slur · hate speech · pejorative · stigmatizing · labeling · stereotyping · othering
embarrassment
Self-conscious unease
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- shamingCausing feelings of disgrace
- degradationDecline in condition
disgrace · abasement · indignity · dishonor · chagrin · discomfiture · demoralization · crushing · devastation · takedown
- tauntstaunts, taunt, taunting, neener neener, insults
- witticismsquips, witticisms, witticism, bon mots, bon mot
- dark witblack humor, dark humor, sardonic humor, caustic wit, biting wit
putdownscompliments
Expressions of admiration
praise · flattery · commendations · accolades · kind words
putdownsbuildups
Gradual accumulations or increases
boosts · elevations · props · shout-outs · honorifics
putdownsencouragements
Expressions of support
pick-me-ups · encouragement · morale boosters · pep talks · reassurances