demean

¹ American  

[dih-meen] / dɪˈmin /

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

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demean ² American  

[dih-meen] / dɪˈmin /

verb (used with object)

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

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noun

1. Archaic. demeanor.

demean ¹ British  

/ dɪˈmiːn /

verb

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

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demean ² British  

/ dɪˈmiːn /

verb

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

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Unlike other positions afforded to Colored people, where the pay was low and the work was demeaning, teachers were well respected by the community.

From Literature

I don’t mean to demean his abilities as a businessman.

From The Wall Street Journal

"And I don't say that in any demeaning sense because for white southerners, it's not easy to rid ourselves of all the prejudices that we have born over the centuries."

From BBC

"Germany objects to use of terms and comparison related to Nazi Germany that are historically, politically and morally wrong because they demean the victims and raise false implications," he said in a recent X post.

From Barron's

The work of philanthropy, then, isn’t to command or correct—and it certainly isn’t to demean and disparage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• belittle
• debase
• degrade
• despise
• disparage