1
as in to degrade
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
it demeans the political process to demand that candidates make promises that everyone knows are unrealistic
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2
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
his statement was not meant to demean the group's hard work
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as in to behave
to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way
I shall endeavor to demean myself with utmost respect when our pastor comes to visit
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Recent Examples of demean
John Blake, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
An accomplished businesswoman, Margot bristles repeatedly when her family demeans her, especially Flora.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
The woman attempted to laugh it off, but her partner continued to demean her.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
It’s come to signify the experience of being belittled or demeaned by one's parents, in some cases even physically abused.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for demean
Verb
No less an authority than former President Clinton warned Democrats last year about the risks of demeaning people on the right.
—John Blake, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
An accomplished businesswoman, Margot bristles repeatedly when her family demeans her, especially Flora.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
The woman attempted to laugh it off, but her partner continued to demean her.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
It’s come to signify the experience of being belittled or demeaned by one's parents, in some cases even physically abused.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for demean
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Cite this Entry
“Demean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demean. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.
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