Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

bemean

American  
[bih-meen] / bɪˈmin /

verb (used with object)

Archaic.
bemeaned, bemeaning
  1. to make mean; demean; debase (usually used reflexively).


bemean British  
/ bɪˈmiːn /

verb

  1. a less common word for demean 1

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bemean

First recorded in 1645–55; be- + mean 2

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.

See Examples For:

If I wanted to bemean myself, could n't I cast up somethin' you would n't like to be minded of?

From Such Is Life by Furphy, Joseph

We belittle ourselves in the sight of God and men, bemean ourselves in the presence of the moral law, and stay more or less our progress in the great educational work of life.

From Aims and Aids for Girls and Young Women On the Various Duties of Life, Physical, Intellectual, And Moral Development; Self-Culture, Improvement, Dress, Beauty, Fashion, Employment, Education, The Home Relations, Their Duties To Young Men, Marriage, Womanhood And Happiness. by Weaver, George Sumner

To dream that you have a wooden leg, denotes that you will bemean yourself in a false way to your friends.

From Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted, or what's in a dream: a scientific and practical exposition by Miller, Gustavus Hindman

Why," said she, "I would not bemean myself to open the door to such.

From The Original Fables of La Fontaine Rendered into English Prose by Fredk. Colin Tilney by Tilney, Frederick Colin

They could scarcely believe that anyone so beautiful and dainty as Betsy Butterfly would bemean herself by robbing Farmer Green—or anybody else.

From The Tale of Betsy Butterfly Tuck-Me-In Tales by Bailey, Arthur Scott

She bemeaned him until at last I asked her why she didn't leave him, and added that I would not stand such crankiness for one moment.

From Letters of a Woman Homesteader by Stewart, Elinore Pruitt

When you are reviled, bemeaned and slandered, and are tempted to retort, He says to you, “Put up thy sword into the sheath.”

From When the Holy Ghost is Come by Brengle, Col. S. L.

"When missus bemeaned herself to shout out at me as if I'd been a sarpint," cried Clo, viciously.

From A Noble Woman by Stephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)

M. le Comte de Cambray would think himself bemeaned were he to parley with a traitor.

From The Bronze Eagle A Story of the Hundred Days by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness

To Chagford’s amazement he so far bemeaned himself as to offer the sextoness his hand, and she accepted it.

From Children of the Mist by Phillpotts, Eden

Bessie, and two trimly dressed maidens of riper years, waited upon the guests, nor thought the occupation bemeaning.

From The Life and Adventures of Maj. Roger Sherman Potter by Adams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)

We are daily trying to eliminate all that is animal, all that is gross and bemeaning in us, even to the extent of reducing the flavors of our foods to the lowest tolerable point.

From The Lord of Death and the Queen of Life by Flint, Homer Eon

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training