demeaning

American  

[dih-mee-ning] / dɪˈmi nɪŋ /

adjective

1. that demeans; debasing; degrading.

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

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Etymology

Origin of demeaning

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

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.

Example Sentences

From my perspective as a political philosopher, these and other similar claims indicate he is speaking falsely as a way of demeaning or taunting his detractors.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

The speakers are often ill-prepared and sometimes glib, demeaning what they should be illuminating.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

"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 • Oct. 20, 2025

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 • Aug. 14, 2025

I advocated that we should remain seated, as it was demeaning to have to recognize the enemy when he did not recognize us as political prisoners.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

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