Home/USA Today Rootonym/To disparage; to portray or speak of in a slighting way (verb)

To disparage; to portray or speak of in a slighting way (verb)

Looking for the answer to the USA Today Rootonym clue “To disparage; to portray or speak of in a slighting way (verb)”? The solution is BELITTLE, a 8-letter word built on the root BE (“on all sides; overly; with a quality' (prefix)”). It appeared in the July 11, 2026 (Saturday) USA Today Rootonym. See the full puzzle for that day's other words.

Answer
BELITTLE
BE******BEmeans “on all sides; overly; with a quality' (prefix)”

In a sentence

Connie continues to BELITTLE her younger sister because of her immature jealousy.

About this clue

The Rootonym clue “To disparage; to portray or speak of in a slighting way (verb)” has the answer BELITTLE (8 letters), built on the root BE, which means “on all sides; overly; with a quality' (prefix)”. Browse the full July 11, 2026 Rootonym puzzle for the other three words, or see all Rootonym answers.