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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
To emphasize that new technology can’t change bad behavior, Josh mirrors many of the same demeaning and destructive traits of showrunner Paulie G (Lance Barber), the antagonist of Seasons One and Two.
—Jennifer Silverman, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026
Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
Like me, Tommy would have looked to the culture around him to learn the language of demeaning women.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demeaning
Adjective
The epitome of narcissism, demeaning and denigrating others upon their deaths (John McCain, Rob Reiner) who’ve displeased him is nothing new, but the Mueller post sinks to a new low.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
To emphasize that new technology can’t change bad behavior, Josh mirrors many of the same demeaning and destructive traits of showrunner Paulie G (Lance Barber), the antagonist of Seasons One and Two.
—Jennifer Silverman, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
What once was aberrant—indeed, unimaginable—is now standard Trump fare, demeaning not only to the Presidency but to the rule of law.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
Like me, Tommy would have looked to the culture around him to learn the language of demeaning women.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demeaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demeaning
Adjective
-
Alex Jenkinson, 39, is accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior toward the former prince, whose royal titles were removed last year by King Charles III due to his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
In a February 2025 meeting, Grimes made profane and insulting comments to another Uber lawyer, the filing said.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
In contrast, the researchers engineered separate strains of Bacillus subtilis to produce two cooperative polymer-degrading enzymes that work in tandem.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 May 2026
-
Experts claim the layer can begin degrading at temperatures above 158°F, potentially accelerating battery wear over time and increasing long-term safety concerns if such heat exposure becomes frequent.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
In her report, Soto accused Sibrian of allegedly mocking and humiliating her for her accent, immigration status and race and calling her stupid.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
State caseworkers have sent an untold number of elders in their care to a coterie of homes with a history of hurting, ignoring or humiliating their residents, records and anguished families say.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Little by little since the start of this outbreak, the organization has been studying how this strain of hantavirus is behaving.—
Melissa Bell,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
-
But actually-old women behaving as actually old?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
An early discussion about social contracts comes down to us in Plato’s dialogue Crito in which Socrates, condemned to death for allegedly corrupting the youth, refused an offer to escape from prison.—
George G. Szpiro,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the Pima County Sheriff Office investigating Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is facing troubles of its own, as a former sheriff has accused current leadership of ‘corrupting’ the crime scene, and a deputy has been arrested and fired on a kidnapping charge.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
My fear is that poor implementation and, above all, a failure to take accountability seriously will end up discrediting good ideas.—
Rachel Canter,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In April 2024, Hayden agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty for violating conflict of interest law by allowing his office to issue an official press statement aimed at discrediting his primary opponent, Arroyo, days before the election.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Others may use hollow pipes, tubes, window ledges or even sliding door tracks (a favorite site for the grass-carrying wasp).—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Lerner’s critical reputation is also through the roof, each new book carrying the weight of potentially being a moment of great artistic import.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the video, one person could be heard calling out derogatory names, and another person told Moreno to get a gun before three shots rang out.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
11 May 2026
-
Moments later, Reaves approached Goble about the interaction, putting his finger in Goble’s face and later calling him a derogatory term.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demeaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demeaning. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
