The verb desmerecer refers to the act of diminishing the worth, merit, or value of something or someone. It is often used when discussing actions or words that detract from the reputation or importance of a person, object, or situation. The word is fairly common in both written and oral forms, though it may appear more often in formal contexts such as literature, journalism, and academic writing.
You should not belittle her effort; she has truly worked hard.
A veces, las críticas desmerecen el valor de una buena idea.
Sometimes, the criticisms detract from the value of a good idea.
Es injusto desmerecer el talento de alguien solo porque no tiene experiencia.
While desmerecer itself may not be part of many well-known idiomatic expressions, the concept of underestimating or belittling worth is a theme in various contexts. Below are a few expressions where the idea of desmerecer is implied:
Many people underestimate the sacrifices that others make for their dreams.
No desmerecer a nadie: Debemos trabajar juntos y no desmerecer a nadie en el equipo.
We must work together and not belittle anyone on the team.
Desmerecer con palabras: A veces, desmerecer con palabras puede causar más daño que una crítica honesta.
Sometimes, belittling with words can cause more harm than honest criticism.
Desmerecer la historia: Algunos críticos desmerecen la historia de la literatura por ser demasiado simple.
The word desmerecer comes from the prefix "des-" meaning to do the opposite of, combined with "merecer," which means "to deserve" or "to merit." Thus, etymologically, it suggests the idea of negating someone's deserving quality or worth.
Rebajar (to diminish)
Antonyms: