Synonyms of demeaning

demeaning 1 of 3

adjective

di-ˈmē-niŋ 

as in insulting

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value

demanded an apology for his demeaning comments

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insulting
• slighting
• degrading
• derogatory
• malicious
• disparaging
• abusive
• pejorative
• uncomplimentary
• contemptuous
• deprecatory
• disdainful
• critical
• scornful
• depreciatory
• belittling
• derogative
• hateful
• venomous
• denigratory
• derisory
• depreciative
• libelous
• cruel
• nasty
• detractive
• decrying
• denigrative
• defamatory
• slanderous
• unkind
• spiteful
• opprobrious
• scurrilous
• calumnious
• malignant
• malign
• malevolent
• virulent
• vilifying
• maligning
• mean
• catty
• slandering
• jealous
• despiteful
• caustic
• bitter
• denunciatory
• resentful
• envious
• acrimonious
• aspersing
• scathing
• rancorous
• acrid
• jaundiced
• denunciative

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laudatory
• positive
• complimentary
• commendatory
• friendly
• respectful
• approving
• admiring
• adulatory
• appreciative
• kind
• laudative
• sympathetic
• applauding
• warm
• kindly
• kindhearted
• warmhearted
• unmalicious

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• degrading
• humiliating
• corrupting
• debasing
• deteriorating
• subverting
• weakening
• damaging
• demoralizing
• poisoning
• debauching
• diluting
• perverting
• destroying
• depraving
• disgracing
• prostituting
• cheapening
• shaming
• ruining
• polluting
• lessening
• bastardizing
• marring
• profaning
• cankering
• abasing
• vitiating
• humbling
• warping
• contaminating
• tainting
• hurting
• harming
• impairing
• thinning
• dishonoring
• wrecking
• dirtying
• defiling
• spoiling
• tarnishing
• watering down
• descending
• staining
• befouling
• defacing
• begriming
• depreciating
• downgrading
• taking down
• flawing
• blemishing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uplifting
• elevating
• improving
• honoring
• exalting
• ennobling
• amending
• enhancing
• enriching
• dignifying
• ameliorating
• perfecting
• cleaning
• clarifying
• bettering
• respecting
• restoring
• refining
• cleansing
• purifying
• meliorating

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humiliating
• discrediting
• degrading
• embarrassing
• insulting
• shaming
• humbling
• debasing
• confusing
• disgracing
• dishonoring
• cheapening
• rattling
• abasing
• criticizing
• chastening
• lowering
• taking down
• belittling
• disparaging
• fouling
• ridiculing
• disconcerting
• diminishing
• mortifying
• minimizing
• smirching
• sinking
• detracting
• discomfiting
• discounting
• decrying
• confounding
• maligning
• condemning
• slandering
• depreciating
• defaming
• flustering
• libeling
• castigating
• affronting
• defiling
• discountenancing
• denouncing
• writing off
• nonplussing
• fazing
• abashing
• damning
• censuring
• bad-mouthing
• crying down
• putting down
• execrating
• reprobating
• reprehending

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elevating
• exalting
• praising
• citing
• aggrandizing
• honoring
• complimenting
• deifying
• commending
• recognizing
• celebrating
• acknowledging
• cheering
• congratulating
• applauding
• boasting
• extolling
• saluting
• hailing
• lauding
• canonizing
• decorating
• eulogizing
• touting
• acclaiming
• highlighting
• dignifying
• promoting
• glorifying
• ennobling
• uplifting
• spotlighting
• feting
• lifting
• advancing
• magnifying
• enshrining
• playing up
• raising
• upgrading
• enthroning
• boosting
• idealizing
• romanticizing
• enskying

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• behaving
• carrying
• acquitting
• restraining
• conducting
• handling
• composing
• containing
• comporting
• controlling
• deporting
• quitting
• constraining
• inhibiting
• bearing
• collecting
• curbing
• checking
• repressing
• playing
• quieting
• acting
• moderating
• modulating
• tempering
• impersonating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misbehaving
• carrying on
• cutting up
• acting up
• misconducting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of demeaning

Adjective

Some wives and girlfriends balk at the label, calling it demeaning shorthand that gives short shrift to a woman’s own worth. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026

Some women who filed lawsuits against Ortega reported they had been confused about whether demeaning or uncomfortable actions the doctor engaged in during exams was within the bounds of necessary medical behavior. — Emily Hoerner, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026

Verb

Inspectors documented staff using demeaning language, displaying extremist imagery, and engaging in conduct that violated the Bureau’s own standards. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy. — Alma Hernandez, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026