Crossword Genius

Word tending to belittle me a bit more (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mere

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'word tending' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'belittle me a bit more' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'me' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 're' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mere that I've seen before include "Lake, pond (poetic)" , "President Hollande's mother?" , "bathing may be permitted in this?" , "a drop of water" , "Pond, only what is said" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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