Synonyms of demean

demean 1 of 2

verb (1)

di-ˈmēn 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• degrade
• humiliate
• weaken
• subvert
• debase
• corrupt
• dilute
• deteriorate
• destroy
• poison
• cheapen
• pervert
• debauch
• demoralize
• lessen
• abase
• ruin
• bastardize
• disgrace
• vitiate
• damage
• deprave
• prostitute
• pollute
• shame
• hurt
• mar
• profane
• humble
• impair
• contaminate
• taint
• harm
• dirty
• warp
• canker
• dishonor
• defile
• spoil
• thin
• water down
• tarnish
• wreck
• flaw
• befoul
• deface
• depreciate
• begrime
• stain
• descend
• take down
• downgrade
• blemish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elevate
• honor
• uplift
• improve
• exalt
• better
• enhance
• ennoble
• amend
• enrich
• perfect
• dignify
• ameliorate
• clarify
• restore
• refine
• respect
• purify
• clean
• cleanse
• meliorate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humiliate
• discredit
• embarrass
• degrade
• humble
• shame
• confuse
• debase
• insult
• disgrace
• dishonor
• cheapen
• abase
• criticize
• rattle
• chasten
• diminish
• disparage
• belittle
• take down
• lower
• minimize
• smirch
• ridicule
• foul
• detract
• mortify
• sink
• defame
• disconcert
• confound
• depreciate
• condemn
• malign
• faze
• decry
• castigate
• slander
• discountenance
• libel
• defile
• discount
• discomfit
• affront
• fluster
• denounce
• abash
• bad-mouth
• write off
• nonplus
• put down
• cry down
• censure
• damn
• execrate
• reprehend
• reprobate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exalt
• elevate
• honor
• aggrandize
• commend
• recognize
• celebrate
• deify
• applaud
• congratulate
• acknowledge
• compliment
• cite
• boast
• extol
• canonize
• laud
• cheer
• praise
• salute
• decorate
• eulogize
• tout
• extoll
• highlight
• hail
• dignify
• glorify
• promote
• acclaim
• ennoble
• magnify
• enshrine
• raise
• lift
• uplift
• advance
• enthrone
• spotlight
• play up
• fete
• boost
• upgrade
• idealize
• romanticize
• fête
• ensky

demean

2 of 2

verb (2)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• behave
• carry
• acquit
• restrain
• conduct
• handle
• compose
• contain
• comport
• deport
• quit
• inhibit
• constrain
• collect
• bear
• control
• check
• curb
• play
• repress
• temper
• act
• quiet
• moderate
• modulate
• impersonate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misconduct
• carry on
• cut up
• misbehave
• act up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of demean

Verb

Marra’s wife says their family has received hateful messages and read demeaning online posts about them since Hegseth posted about Marra on X a few weeks ago. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025

Beyond wait time fees, the DOJ complaint also details instances where Uber drivers allegedly refused service to passengers with service animals, canceled rides after learning a passenger was blind, or demeaned riders with disabilities. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

Even worse, the guidelines gave room for chatbots to demean people by race and spread false medical claims. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Swift has no issue taking shots at the media and fans who use her relationships as a way to demean and excoriate her. —Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025

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