Synonyms

bemean

American

[bih-meen] / bɪˈmin /

verb (used with object)

Archaic.

bemeaned, bemeaning

to make mean; demean; debase (usually used reflexively).

bemean British

/ bɪˈmiːn /

verb

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.

Gets you to be his bride, fair maid, And him I'll no bemean;30 But when I take my words again, Whom call ye Hazelgreen?

From Project Gutenberg

Everything is so foul already that surely it is not worth while to bemean ourselves any further by attempting to gloss over the filth!”

From Project Gutenberg

Surely we need no further bemean and befoul ourselves!

From Project Gutenberg

“Which you’d best fetch this gentleman a light, Master Antony,” said cook; “for I ain’t going to bemean myself.”

From Project Gutenberg

She'll hab to walk and talk, and bofe bemean and brag!

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023