What does slighting mean?
Slighting means treating someone or something with contempt, dismissal, or open disrespect. It is especially used to describe remarks, comments, tones, and references that belittle a person or minimize something important to them. For example, a slighting comment may dismiss a person’s work, appearance, background, or opinions with an air of superiority rather than addressing them seriously. The word carries a clearly negative and often accusatory connotation: it suggests not merely indifference but conduct intended to wound, embarrass, or diminish someone. Although “slighting” can be formed from the older verb “slight,” modern speakers generally use “slight” itself when describing an action, as in “he slighted her contributions,” and reserve “slighting” for the resulting attitude or expression. In literary and historical contexts, the word can also refer more generally to the act of showing contempt or disregard.
Disrespectful, disparaging, or intended to belittle someone or something.
"The article contained several slanting attacks on the government’s policy."
Treating someone or something with contempt or as unimportant.
"His manner constantly slights the people who work with him."
A slighting remark may be brief, but it can cut deeply by dismissing another person’s dignity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slighting come from?
The form “slighting” was formed in English from the adjective and verb “slight,” which ultimately comes from Old English “sliht,” meaning small or little. That Old English word belongs to the Germanic family and is related to words such as German “leicht” and Dutch “licht,” meaning light or easy. The meaning developed from describing something as small or insignificant to describing treatment that is dismissive or contemptuous.
Related word forms
How slighting is actually used
“Slighting” is usually used of remarks, comments, tones, or references that are dismissive, disparaging, or insulting. It is more specific and more strongly negative than merely “negative.” In the verb form, “slighting” is uncommon in modern general use; “slight” is normally preferred.
Easily confused with slighting
“Slight” is the base adjective and verb meaning to treat someone as unimportant or to insult them, while “slighting” describes the act or manner of doing so.
“Sliding” refers to moving smoothly across a surface or from one position to another, whereas “slighting” refers to treating someone with disrespect.