demean

¹

[ dih-meen ]

verb (used with object)

1. to lower in dignity, honor, or standing; debase:

   He demeaned himself by accepting the bribe.

   Synonyms: mortify, humiliate, humble, degrade

   Antonyms: honor, dignify

demean

²

[ dih-meen ]

verb (used with object)

1. to conduct or behave (oneself ) in a specified manner.

noun

1. Archaic. demeanor.

demean

¹

/ dɪˈmiːn /

verb

1. rare.
   tr to behave or conduct (oneself) in a specified way

demean

²

/ dɪˈmiːn /

verb

1. tr to lower (oneself) in dignity, status, or character; humble; debase

Word History and Origins

Origin of demean¹

1595–1605; de- + mean ², modeled on debase

Origin of demean²

1250–1300; Middle English deme ( i ) nen < Anglo-French, Old French demener, equivalent to de- de- + mener to lead, conduct < Latin mināre to drive, minārī to threaten

Word History and Origins

Origin of demean¹

C13: from Old French demener, from de- + mener to lead, drive, from Latin mināre to drive (animals), from minārī to use threats

Origin of demean²

C17: see de- , mean ²; on the model of debase

Example Sentences

Being elsewhere meant that they had choices other than a certain death trapped in a system that worked to devalue, demean, and break their spirits.

From Vox

What we are saying … is that there was a campaign — a concerted campaign — to vilify and dismiss and demean, and, frankly, lie about it, the effectiveness of these drugs.

From Washington Post

Women were left out of conversations in the physical office, demeaned, or made to feel like they didn’t belong.

From Vox

We sort of demean those fundamental principles of the heart and the soul.

From Freakonomics

Behavior that demeans or discriminates against people for who they are has no place here.

From Vox

Modern campaigns rarely elevate any subject and have a terrible tendency to demean all who participate.

From The Daily Beast

Hand it off to a hen-pecked husband or a put-upon assistant and it can demean or belittle.

From The Daily Beast

The Taliban have said the comments comparing war to a game 'demean' Harry.

From The Daily Beast

Canadians are generally mistrustful of rules that subordinate or demean women.

From The Daily Beast

“He is trying to shock whoever finds the body,” said Shepard, who said that Hughes was trying also to demean his victims.

From The Daily Beast

"Mr. Capt don't demean himself to chambermaids, Miss Lucy," retorted the abigail with angry scorn.

From Project Gutenberg

This comes of your princesses, that turn the world upside down, and demean themselves to hob and nob with these black baldicoots!

From Project Gutenberg

Why should ladies demean themselves by going amongst dirty beggarly folk?

From Project Gutenberg

There is no man upon earth who would demean himself by breaking a lance with my master.

From Project Gutenberg

How well our Champion doth demean himself, As if he had been made for such an action?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• belittle
• debase
• degrade
• despise
• disparage