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
By demeaning and alienating most people, Capps predicted, the Christian right wing was planting the seeds of its own demise. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026 The consulting partner who learned precision was never demeaning. — Mark Nevins, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
The Fishback file James Fishback, with no relevant accomplishments or experience, is running a disgracefully racist and antisemitic campaign marked by demeaning attacks on Donalds, who is Black. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026 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 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
  • But to propose trading him for anything short of a fourth-round pick is insulting.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Afterward, Lisa brags about her pickpocketing skills and says theft is easier and less insulting to the mark.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of insulting
Verb
  • Online critics characterized the Polymarket contract as degrading and questioned why celebrity ambassadors would associate themselves with the company.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Oliver got the show started by kicking his heels together and pointing out that stand-up comedy and a venue like Carnegie Hall are opposing ovals in a Venn diagram, with stand-up degrading such a magnificent space.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 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
  • Why 2026 is different Nonetheless, analysts CNBC spoke to broadly agreed that reforms meant that even if the market is behaving in similar ways to the post-financial crisis period, the contagion risk remained limited this time around.
    — Jenni Reid,Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Congress should hold hearings focused on companies cutting corners, not AI programs behaving badly.
    — David Litt, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of behaving
Adjective
  • Apalachee High School's interim head football coach has resigned as the school investigated reports of racially derogatory language, according to an email sent to families.
    — CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • His opening monologue sparked immediate backlash for including derogatory comments about women’s gym attire, something stars such as Maren Morris and Flavor Flav blasted online in the days that followed.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of derogatory
Verb
  • Documentarian Alex Gibney is no stranger to dissections of corrupting power — from his feature dives into Enron, Elizabeth Holmes and Scientology.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Delphi sits above a geologic vent, an X from which noxious gases escaped the earth, corrupting the minds of women who inhaled and pronounced their prophecies.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of corrupting
Verb
  • Instead of discrediting infringement arguments, this year generative AI company Bria launched Fibo, a tool that pays artist royalties to the creators of the original references.
    — Rae Witte, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Matthew Cohen—who has also gone by Jason Goose—played his own part in discrediting the files.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of discrediting
Verb
  • Different animal species have their own flea species, so rats and plague-carrying fleas traveled together.
    — Faye Flam, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
  • That supplier could be seen in a video carrying a bag, which prosecutors say contained a kilo of cocaine.
    — Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 27 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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