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
• highlight
• hail
• dignify
• glorify
• promote
• acclaim
• ennoble
• fete
• magnify
• enshrine
• raise
• lift
• uplift
• advance
• enthrone
• spotlight
• play up
• boost
• upgrade
• idealize
• romanticize
• 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

With that framing, his followers could demean Black protesters and vilify federal agents and Jews, notably those who linked arms with their Black neighbors to demand equal rights — as the rabbi at Beth Israel had increasingly done before Bowers’ henchmen bombed his synagogue and then his home. —Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 4 Feb. 2026

The shrine is Canton is demeaned and the Class of ‘26 stained. —Greg Cote february 1, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026

Not that Purdy would ever demean a teammate in public. —Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026

For one thing, Lucy can’t even get off anymore without being actively demeaned. —Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2026

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