demeans 1 of 2

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of demean
1
as in degrades
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 humiliates
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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demeans

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of demean
as in behaves
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 demeans
Verb
Most frustratingly, the secret traitor demeans us, the audience. — Raven Smith, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026 That conflict comes to a head in the middle of campus in the film’s most intense scene, as Alma verbally belittles and demeans her until Maggie snaps and suddenly smacks her mentor. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025 That’s another lazy phrase that demeans the dynamic of sport. — Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demeans
  1. degrades
  2. humiliates
  3. behaves
  4. weakens
  5. discredits
  6. carries
  7. corrupts
  8. acquits
Verb
  • However, doing so degrades the signal and leads to data-reading errors.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Rich Handel, resident laundry expert at Consumer Reports, warns that mixing heavy fabrics like denim with delicate garments increases friction and degrades the softer material.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of degrades
Verb
  • Filming a scene in which Isaiah humiliates Cam, Withers asked Wayans to crack jokes about Kionte’s death — the defining event of Withers’ life, and his lowest point.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Diomande just humiliates fullbacks.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Definition of humiliates
Verb
  • This difference influences how nuclear fuel behaves and how a reactor sustains fission.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • OpenAI found that its monitoring systems would be less likely to detect when its new Astra model behaves in undesirable ways through chain-of-thought compared to older models, according to documentation from early September.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of behaves
Verb
  • Limited inventory continues to support prices, even as buyer demand weakens.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • If the ridge weakens sufficiently, this could eventually open the door to returning rain chances.
    — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakens
Verb
  • Taking aim at history on the exact 250th anniversary of the United States, the White House Domestic Policy Council released a report on July 4 that discredits the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
    — Nora Oakes Howard, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The praiseworthyness of having both sides of the debate evaporates when the host actively discredits the expert and reflexively enhances the legitimacy of the conspiracy theorist.
    — Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 1 Dec. 2025
Definition of discredits
Verb
  • After a quiet day otherwise, Riley exploded for 33- and 72-yard rushing touchdowns to finish as the game’s leading rusher with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Snoring can be a signal of undiagnosed sleep apnea, which carries cardiovascular risk.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of carries
Verb
  • Forgetting his bond with the land, Mariano awakens the Ch’iqmi, a dark force that corrupts his people.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 25 June 2026
  • One nanny will try to get to the bottom of it before all the partying, power and privilege corrupts her.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of corrupts
Verb
  • Among the performers, Smith rules the roost as the no-nonsense Angela, and Jones acquits himself tolerably on comic relief duties as the pathetic Mike.
    — Caspar Salmon, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • For that demographic, form is everything, and the paper acquits its pledge that every dog must have its daily.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of acquits

Browse Nearby Words

demeanors
demeans
demented
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Cite this Entry

“Demeans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demeans. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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