Putdown: meaning, definitions and examples
💔
putdown
[ ˈpʊtdaʊn ]
negative remark
A putdown is a remark or action that criticizes or belittles someone. Such remarks can be made intentionally or unintentionally and often leave the recipient feeling diminished or insulted. Putdowns can occur in personal relationships, workplaces, and social situations. They may stem from insecurity or a need to assert dominance over others.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- His putdown made everyone uncomfortable.
- She couldn't believe the putdown thrown her way.
- He always has a putdown ready for anyone who challenges him.
to belittle
To put down someone means to belittle or criticize them verbally. It can be seen as a way to assert power or superiority over another person. This behavior can negatively affect relationships and create a toxic environment. Often, the intent behind a putdown is to undermine someone's confidence.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He put down his teammates during the game.
- She tends to put down others to feel better about herself.
- It's not right to put down those who are struggling.
Translations
Translations of the word "putdown" in other languages:
🇵🇹 depreciação
🇮🇳 नीचा दिखाना
🇩🇪 Herabsetzung
🇮🇩 penurunan
🇺🇦 приниження
🇵🇱 poniżenie
🇯🇵 軽蔑
🇫🇷 dépréciation
🇪🇸 menosprecio
🇹🇷 küçümseme
🇰🇷 경시
🇸🇦 احتقار
🇨🇿 ponižování
🇸🇰 ponižovanie
🇨🇳 贬低
🇸🇮 zmanjšanje
🇮🇸 niðursetning
🇰🇿 құрметсіздік
🇬🇪 დამცირება
🇦🇿 kiçiltmə
🇲🇽 desprecio
Etymology
The term 'putdown' originated in the early 20th century, primarily in American English, as a colloquial expression used to describe a verbal insult or criticism. Its roots can be traced to the earlier English verb 'put down,' which literally means to place something down or to lower it. Over time, this phrase evolved to encapsulate the act of verbally lowering someone’s status or self-esteem through negative remarks. The concept of 'putting someone down' reflects social dynamics where language can be weaponized to express dominance or superiority over others. As the workplace and social interactions evolved throughout the decades, so too did the use of the term, signifying its relevance in discussions surrounding bullying, self-esteem, and power dynamics in social interactions. The development of the term has paralleled shifts in cultural attitudes toward personal interactions and the impact of language on individual self-worth.