1
as in to degrade
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
it demeans the political process to demand that candidates make promises that everyone knows are unrealistic
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2
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
his statement was not meant to demean the group's hard work
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as in to behave
to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way
I shall endeavor to demean myself with utmost respect when our pastor comes to visit
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demean
Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
Insults and demeaning remarks against immigrants have seemingly peaked in recent years and are inescapable.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
This is the record business of half a century ago; demeaning slurs are tossed around.
—Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025
This is the record business of half a century ago; demeaning slurs are tossed around.
—Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demean
Verb
Insults and demeaning remarks against immigrants have seemingly peaked in recent years and are inescapable.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
Insults and demeaning remarks against immigrants have seemingly peaked in recent years and are inescapable.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
This is the record business of half a century ago; demeaning slurs are tossed around.
—Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025
This is the record business of half a century ago; demeaning slurs are tossed around.
—Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demean
Cite this Entry
“Demean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demean. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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