demean

IPA/dɪˈmiːn/
KK[dɪmˈin]IPA/dɪˈmiːn/

demean — verb

  • demeanpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • demeanshe / she / it
  • demeanedpast simple
  • demeaning-ing form

1. to lower someone's dignity or self-respect by treating them unfairly, speaking a

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to lower someone's dignity or self-respect by treating them unfairly, speaking about them with contempt, or giving them work that is far below their usual level.

Example

Nellie felt that asking her team to clean the toilets would demean them.

that-clause after feel: demean + object

Vikram refused to demean himself by lying to customers about the product.

reflexive: demean + oneself

Common collocations
  • demean oneself
  • feel demeaned
  • demean someone by + V-ing
  • publicly demeaned
  • deeply demeaned
Synonyms
  • belittle

    primarily about making someone or their achievements seem unimportant through words; less about actions

  • humiliate

    stronger, more emotional — involves public shame or deep embarrassment

  • degrade

    suggests a systematic reduction in rank, quality, or moral character; more formal

Antonyms
  • elevate

    to lift someone to a higher position or level of respect

  • honor

    to show public respect and admiration for someone

Grammar Patterns

demean + object

demean + oneself

be demeaned + by + noun phrase

Usage Note

Subject can be a person, an action, a situation, or an institution — anything that lowers someone's dignity. Frequently used with reflexive pronouns ('demean oneself') and in passive constructions ('felt demeaned').

Common Mistakes

The teacher deemed the student in front of the class.
The teacher demeaned the student in front of the class.
'deem' means to consider or judge; 'demean' means to lower someone's dignity.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve lowering someone's standing, but they differ in mechanism and emotional weight. 'Demean' focuses on the loss of dignity through actions or treatment — it is about the effect on status or self-respect. 'Belittle' is primarily verbal, making someone or their achievements seem small or unimportant. 'Humiliate' is stronger and more emotional, involving public shame or deep embarrassment. 'Degrade' suggests a more systematic reduction in rank, quality, or moral character. 'Debase' is the most formal and usually refers to lowering moral or material quality. For example, 'The manager demeaned the team by giving them janitorial work' focuses on the indignity of the tasks, while 'The manager humiliated the team by yelling at them in front of clients' focuses on public shame.

belittle ↗humiliate ↗degrade ↗debase ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • demean oneself
  • feel demeaned

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishProto-GermanicEnglish

The modern sense of 'demean' (to lower in dignity) emerged in the 1600s. It was formed by combining the prefix 'de-' ('down, away') with the adjective 'mean' (in the sense of 'low in status or quality'). This 'mean' comes from Old English 'gemǣne' ('common, shared by all'), which later took on the connotation of 'inferior' or 'unrefined'. Despite sounding similar, this verb is unrelated to the now-archaic 'demean' meaning 'to conduct oneself' (from Old French 'demener' — 'to guide, to lead').