demeaning 1 of 3

adjective

di-ˈmē-niŋ How to pronounce demeaning (audio)
Definition of demeaningnext
as in insulting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value demanded an apology for his demeaning comments

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demeaning

2 of 3

verb (1)

present participle of demean
1
as in degrading
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 humiliating
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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demeaning

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of demean
as in behaving
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demeaning
Adjective
Despite the demeaning work, Laura, a local woman, has risen to middle management through unyielding determination. — Literary Hub, 19 May 2026 Not in a demeaning way but in a loving a caring way. — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Verb
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 Great leaders demand excellence without demeaning their people. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demeaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demeaning
  1. insulting
  2. degrading
  3. humiliating
  4. behaving
  5. derogatory
  6. corrupting
  7. discrediting
  8. carrying
Adjective
  • The target of the anger and scorn in all the insulting posters, slogans, and graffiti of the protest zone was not the education minister but Modi himself.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The big reveal that Rey was really the still-not-dead Emperor’s grand-daughter was incoherent and kind of insulting.
    — Adam Frank, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of insulting
Verb
  • The Kremlin has also started to systematically target Ukrainian ports and ships in the Black Sea in hopes of degrading the infrastructure that supports the country’s agricultural exports.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
  • In a public service announcement Thursday, the agencies said water and wastewater utilities have reported incidents to the FBI, with some malicious activity degrading water operations.
    — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 31 July 2026
Definition of degrading
Verb
  • The Iranians are now setting the terms of this conflict and are routinely humiliating the American president.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026
Definition of humiliating
Verb
  • Everybody is behaving sensibly inside a structure that punishes sense.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Or when some man behaving like a degenerate gambler plods into Chelsea Gray’s DMs with a disgusting slur.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of behaving
Adjective
  • The staff member leading the group says the man cussed at them, shouted derogatory names and continued to reference guns.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Saar equipped an Aunt Jemima Black mammy figurine with a rifle alongside her broom, and placed a derogatory postcard in front of it featuring another Black mammy with a mulatto child.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of derogatory
Verb
  • Validation rules, schema standards and completeness checks at the entry point prevent bad master data from corrupting everything downstream.
    — Jacqueline DeStefano-Tangorra, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Character also involves standing up to people who are bankrupting and corrupting this country.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 31 May 2026
Definition of corrupting
Verb
  • Kiryl Pazniak, 49, who hosted a popular political show on YouTube, has been convicted on the charges of discrediting Belarus and forming an extremist organization, the group said — accusations widely used by authorities to stifle critical voices.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • Defense attorney Tom Mesereau was an expert at discrediting witnesses, subjects told the filmmakers, but certain key witnesses, like Janet Arvizo, struggled to connect with the jury on their own.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
Definition of discrediting
Verb
  • Churchill Downs races will be televised on NBC with Fox carrying the New York racing television coverage.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The last flight carrying 146 Venezuelans landed in Venezuela just hours before the disaster struck.
    — Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of carrying

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demeaned
demeaning
demeanor
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Cite this Entry

“Demeaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demeaning. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on demeaning

Nglish: Translation of demeaning for Spanish Speakers

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