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
Raven Smith, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
They were being demeaned for that, or devalued for that in this critical time.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025
Especially early on in the campaign, when I was being attacked as being angry, a shrew, demeaning my husband — all these labels were coming in on me that were essentially trying to rob me of that femininity.
—Janine Rubenstein, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
That conflict comes to a head in the middle of campus in the film’s most intense scene, as Alma verbally belittles and demeans her until Maggie snaps and suddenly smacks her mentor.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demean
Verb
Most frustratingly, the secret traitor demeans us, the audience.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
They were being demeaned for that, or devalued for that in this critical time.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025
Especially early on in the campaign, when I was being attacked as being angry, a shrew, demeaning my husband — all these labels were coming in on me that were essentially trying to rob me of that femininity.
—Janine Rubenstein, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
That conflict comes to a head in the middle of campus in the film’s most intense scene, as Alma verbally belittles and demeans her until Maggie snaps and suddenly smacks her mentor.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Oct. 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 7 Feb. 2026.
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