demeaning

[dih-mee-ning]

adjective

1. that demeans; demean; debasing; degrading.

   Being forced to apologize when I had done nothing wrong was a demeaning task.

Word History and Origins

Origin of demeaning¹

First recorded in 1875–80; demean ¹ + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Losing your job might be demeaning, but losing your integrity for the shot at a job is dehumanizing.

From Salon

In practice, it led to some of the most demeaning tactics schools have ever deployed against their own students.

From Salon

Especially when it became clear that the writers thought it made perfect sense to keep Carrie and Aidan’s children separate — so unbelievable, and demeaning to both characters.

From Los Angeles Times

She included photos of herself with a black eye and alleged Phypers regularly called her profane and demeaning names and periodically threatened to kill her or himself.

From Los Angeles Times

In an ill-fated effort to make nice with MAGA, Newsom started a podcast promising "honest discussions with people that agree AND disagree with us," all "without demeaning or dehumanizing one other."

From Salon

Related Words

• defamatory 
• degrading 
• disparaging 
• sarcastic 
• slanderous 
• unflattering