demean 1 of 2

verb (1)

di-ˈmēn How to pronounce demean (audio)
Definition of demeannext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 demean
Verb
Dean also wrote that she was also subjected to demeaning comments from the late radio host Don Imus during her tenure as a news editor and reporter for his program in the early 2000s. — Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026 None of this is meant to demean Byram, who’ll likely now face extra scrutiny from a fanbase that’s surely perplexed by this move, especially once the Blackhawks extend his contract, possibly to the $10 million range. — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 24 June 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 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 See All Example Sentences for demean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demean
  1. degrade
  2. humiliate
  3. behave
  4. weaken
  5. discredit
  6. carry
  7. subvert
  8. acquit
Verb
  • When temperatures rise, heat can quietly degrade pantry staples, making refrigeration essential to preserve quality and flavor.
    — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 1 July 2026
  • If leaders are not present and actively developing people, the system degrades—quietly at first, then all at once.
    — Brian Coyne, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of degrade
Verb
  • Israel must leave humiliated and defeated — and that is exactly what will happen.
    — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 26 June 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 humiliate
Verb
  • The simple threat of regulatory action is now enough to impact how media outlets behave.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 July 2026
  • Different alloy systems will behave differently, and mixing is only one part of the challenge.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Definition of behave
Verb
  • The flow of dark traffic is one of the factors that helped explain why oil markets had weakened significantly by early June, together with a surge in exports from the US and pullback in buying by China.
    — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • But as several surveys have consistently indicated, optimism about our country's outlook has undeniably weakened.
    — Robert Hormats, Time, 4 July 2026
Definition of weaken
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
  • Green said earlier this year that Adebayo shouldn’t be underestimated and his 83-point game against Washington shouldn’t be discredited.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of discredit
Verb
  • Just assume that any animal is going to carry disease, and rabies is one of them.
    — Kelli Arseneau, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Fujimori’s presidency marks a return of her family’s political brand to Peru’s highest office — a movement that has long carried a complicated relationship with the United States.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of carry
Verb
  • Some of that sentiment reflects the fact that the president and those around him subvert the rule of law, decency, and democratic restraints.
    — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
  • The Sedition Act of 1918, which subverted the Bill of Rights, imposed penalties for anti-government expression.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 1 July 2026
Definition of subvert
Verb
  • On Wednesday, a Wayne County jury acquitted Hamtramck City Councilmember Mohammed Hassan of both felony counts of election law forgery and forging a signature on an absentee ballot application.
    — Gino Vicci, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • In a dissenting opinion, a member of the panel, Andi Saputra, argued that there was not enough evidence and Marakim should be acquitted.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026
Definition of acquit

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Cite this Entry

“Demean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demean. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of demean for Spanish Speakers

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