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
Some wives and girlfriends balk at the label, calling it demeaning shorthand that gives short shrift to a woman’s own worth. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 22 July 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
Verb
But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy. — Alma Hernandez, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026 There is no up side to demeaning our friends. — Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 6 Jan. 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
  • Even instances of heckling at games – over performance on the court – felt good-natured, rather than insulting.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of insulting
Verb
  • For instance, excess ions fail to enter the graphite quickly enough and form performance-degrading metallic deposits on the surface (lithium plating).
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The Tate brothers built a global following, became extremely wealthy, and gained cultural and political influence by degrading and harming women.
    — Jodi Bondi Norgaard, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 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
  • Anybody can be charming to a powerful boss, an attractive stranger, or a potentially useful client; character is more diagnostic when there is little reputational or instrumental benefit to behaving well.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • SwRI’s new toy for sCO₂ testing Their job is to control where and how quickly CO₂ enters the rock formation, prevent unwanted fluids moving around the well, and generally keep the reservoir behaving as intended.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of behaving
Adjective
  • The designer also made derogatory comments to an Asian patron.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In messages to each other, the two men referred to their victims in insults and derogatory language, according to the complaint.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of derogatory
Verb
  • Instead, in trying to explain what made both Murdoch and Lamb tick in those early days, Boyle and Graham show us just how intoxicating and corrupting this kind of success can be.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Apology is Plato’s version of the speech of self-defense Socrates gives when he is tried by the city of Athens for corrupting the youth and not believing in the gods.
    — Agnes Callard, The New York Review of Books, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of corrupting
Verb
  • The release of his diaries though, revealed some thoroughly discrediting and upsetting details about Fauci's private beliefs.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of discrediting
Verb
  • Washington claimed that the launchers were preparing to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the Hormuz Strait.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Two supertankers carrying Saudi oil were struck on Monday, undermining the White House’s claims that the Strait of Hormuz is safe for navigation.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of carrying

Browse Nearby Words

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 5 Sep. 2026.

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