demeaning
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of demeaning
Explanation
The adjective demeaning describes something that lowers a person's reputation or dignity. If your boss always asks you to pick up her dry cleaning and get her coffee, you might feel like you usually get the demeaning jobs. The adjective demeaning comes from the verb demean, which itself is based on the construction of the word "debase." The word demean has two almost opposite meanings, to degrade and to conduct oneself in a particular manner, usually a proper one. The adjective, however, always describes something that is degrading. Overhearing two friends gossiping about you can be a demeaning experience, even if they're just criticizing your new haircut.
Vocabulary lists containing demeaning
Into the Wild
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Promises to Keep
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You Call This Democracy?
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The speakers are often ill-prepared and sometimes glib, demeaning what they should be illuminating.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026
Losing your job might be demeaning, but losing your integrity for the shot at a job is dehumanizing.
From Salon • Oct. 7, 2025
“The EIT happens to drive the car. But to call them a driver is a bit demeaning and a bit minimizing,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025
If you encounter mansplaining — or other forms of demeaning communication — it’s important to check with yourself before you respond.
From Salon • Apr. 29, 2025
Bijan seemed to feel sorry for me in a way that I found only a little demeaning, so I didn’t mind his company.
From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
