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
The sources firmly rejected the draft declarations, characterizing them as publicity stunts designed to mock the league, sow division, and draw attention to the topic by demeaning others. — Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 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 For generations, alligators featured prominently in imagery intended to demean Black Americans. — The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026 Others have even demeaned the credibility of his creative achievements and professional accolades, attributing such success as a mere byproduct of his proximity and relationship to Hov. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 July 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
  • With so few ancient samples of dodo DNA surviving—and that which does exist having degraded over the centuries—the analytic and number-crunching power of AI is just what’s needed to fill in the genetic blanks.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The partnership aims to keep the platform connected when military operations disrupt or degrade individual network links.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of degrade
Verb
  • One of its proof points was supposed to be Maine, where Graham Platner humiliated the party establishment, then himself.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • This caution is surprising in a writer who has elsewhere been fearless about identity and America, attentive to the country’s institutional capacity to humiliate, compromise, and implicate the people who claim it.
    — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of humiliate
Verb
  • In 1999 a group led by Austrian physicist Anton Zeilinger confirmed that fullerenes, large molecules consisting of 60 carbon atoms, behave just the same.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Meet the 2026-27 Lakers, a team that will look different, sound different, feel different, play different and behave different from their recent predecessors in every way but one.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of behave
Verb
  • But while those will provide short-term relief, the currency is expected to weaken toward the end of the year and mid-2027, and a 100 rupee-per-dollar mark could not be ruled out, strategists said.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • However, following his arrest, the owner, Mohammad Khan, blamed this week's rains for weakening one of the roofs, according to police, who said the investigation was still underway.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • Baker periodically deployed Darman to discredit and even destroy Baker’s rivals for Presidential attention in the Administration.
    — Bob Woodward, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Gates says Washburn’s petition is a first volley in an attempt to discredit and then defund the Wildlife Council.
    — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of discredit
Verb
  • Over the years the retailer has carried third-party denim in its stores such as Re/Done, A GoldE and Acne.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Funding arrangements should reflect who benefits and who carries the risk.
    — Hani Assi, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of carry
Verb
  • David Radcliff’s work crosses genres and formats, but his favorite projects are those that broaden understanding and empathy through humor and subverted expectations.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Similar to modern innuendo, phallic imagery was sometimes used to subvert taboos and humorously challenge norms.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of subvert
Verb
  • Singleton was ultimately acquitted of all charges, the statement said.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Eric Lewis, the man accused of killing a Philadelphia police officer in an ambush, was acquitted of murder in 2019 in a case the district attorney says was undermined by police misconduct.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of acquit

Browse Nearby Words

dematerializing
demean
demeaned
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Cite this Entry

“Demean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demean. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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