Standard Lemma guide

bagatellize

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈbæɡətɛlˌaɪz/

1

verb

Meaning 1

To regard as a bagatelle; to play down, trivialize or belittle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: rare, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: banalize, downplay, make little of, bagatellize, belittle, cut down, de-emphasize, denigrate, degrade, deprecate, derogate, disparage, dispraise, lilliputianize, make nothing of, minimize, play down, set at nought, superficialize, trivialize, underestimate, underplay, understate, vilipend

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From bagatelle (“trifle; insubstantial thing”) + -ize. Compare German bagatellisieren.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: bagatelliseren — regard as a bagatelle
  • Finnish: bagatellisoida — regard as a bagatelle
  • German: bagatellisieren — regard as a bagatelle
  • Hungarian: bagatellizál — regard as a bagatelle
  • Polish: lekceważyć — regard as a bagatelle
  • Polish: zlekceważyć — regard as a bagatelle
  • Polish: bagatelizować — regard as a bagatelle
  • Polish: zbagatelizować — regard as a bagatelle
  • Northern Sami: bagatelliseret — regard as a bagatelle
  • Upper Sorbian: bagatelizować — regard as a bagatelle
  • Swedish: bagatellisera — regard as a bagatelle