Demean: meaning, definitions and examples

👎

Add to dictionary

demean

[dɪˈmiːn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

behavior

To lower in dignity, honor, or standing; debase

Synonyms

belittle, degrade, humiliate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
demean	Used in situations where someone is treated in a way that makes them feel less respected or valued. It can imply reducing someone's dignity or standing. He demeaned his colleague in front of the entire team The rude comments demeaned her self-esteem
degrade	Often used to describe actions or behaviors that lower someone's moral or intellectual quality, or reduce their status. It can also refer to the reduction of quality or value of something. The harsh treatment degraded his sense of self-worth Polluting the river will degrade the environment
humiliate	Applied when someone is made to feel ashamed or foolish, often in public, causing intense embarrassment or shame. The manager humiliated him in front of the entire office She felt humiliated after the incident
belittle	Commonly used when someone makes another feel small or less important, often by dismissing their opinions or achievements. She belittled his efforts to learn a new skill The teacher's remarks belittled the students' creativity

Examples of usage

The supervisor's constant criticism began to demean the hardworking employee.
It is never acceptable to demean someone based on their race, gender, or background.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

behavior

To behave in a way that is beneath one's dignity; to stoop

Synonyms

condescend, lower oneself.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
demean	Used to indicate causing a severe loss of respect or dignity for someone or something. It often carries a strong negative connotation. His comments were intended to demean her in front of the entire team. She felt demeaned by the way her boss treated her.
lower oneself	Used when someone does something in a way that they feel is below their usual standard or dignity. This phrase often implies a sacrifice of pride. He refused to lower himself to their level just to win the argument. She won't lower herself by responding to such petty insults.
condescend	Applies when someone talks down to others, implying that the person feels superior. It has a negative connotation as it suggests arrogance. Don't condescend to me; I know exactly what I'm doing. Her tone was so condescending, it was clear she did not respect my opinion.

Word

Description / Examples

demean

Used to indicate causing a severe loss of respect or dignity for someone or something. It often carries a strong negative connotation.

His comments were intended to demean her in front of the entire team.
She felt demeaned by the way her boss treated her.

lower oneself

Used when someone does something in a way that they feel is below their usual standard or dignity. This phrase often implies a sacrifice of pride.

He refused to lower himself to their level just to win the argument.
She won't lower herself by responding to such petty insults.

condescend

Applies when someone talks down to others, implying that the person feels superior. It has a negative connotation as it suggests arrogance.

Don't condescend to me; I know exactly what I'm doing.
Her tone was so condescending, it was clear she did not respect my opinion.

Examples of usage

She refused to demean herself by participating in the gossip.
He would not demean himself by begging for forgiveness.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'deminuere', meaning 'to lessen'.
It first appeared in English around the late 14th century, originally meaning to lower in status.
Over time, the meaning evolved to focus more on the action of lowering someone's dignity.

Psychology

Being demeaned can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and anxiety.
Research suggests that experiencing demeaning treatment can harm mental health, affecting overall well-being.
It often involves power dynamics, where one person asserts dominance over another, impacting their sense of self-worth.

Literature

Classic literature often portrays characters who demean others as villains, highlighting moral lessons about respect.
Modern novels frequently explore themes of interpersonal relationships and the damage done by demeaning behavior.
Demeaning language can be powerful in writing, demonstrating a character’s cruelty or a turning point in a narrative.

Social Context

In workplaces, demeaning behavior can contribute to toxic environments and lead to high turnover rates.
Social media can amplify demeaning comments, often referred to as 'cyberbullying', affecting mental health on a larger scale.
Movements advocating for mental health awareness emphasize the importance of treating everyone with dignity to combat demeaning behavior.

Pop Culture

Many movies depict scenes where a protagonist stands up against someone trying to demean them, highlighting themes of courage.
In music, artists often address personal experiences of being demeaned, using their platforms for empowerment.
Television shows sometimes portray the downfall of characters who demean others, showcasing the ultimate consequences of their actions.

Translations

Translations of the word "demean" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rebaixar

🇮🇳 अपमान करना

🇩🇪 erniedrigen

🇮🇩 menghina

🇺🇦 зневажати

🇵🇱 poniżać

🇯🇵 貶める (おとしめる)

🇫🇷 rabaisser

🇪🇸 degradar

🇹🇷 aşağılamak

🇰🇷 비하하다

🇸🇦 يحتقر

🇨🇿 ponižovat

🇸🇰 ponižovať

🇨🇳 贬低 (biǎndī)

🇸🇮 ponižati

🇮🇸 niðursetja

🇰🇿 кемсіту

🇬🇪 დამცირება

🇦🇿 alçaltmaq

🇲🇽 degradar

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,001, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
28998 writhe
28999 jettisoned
29000 flayed
29001 demean
29002 skewers
29003 flirtatious
29004 resurgent
...