demean

1 of 2

verb (1)

de·​mean di-ˈmēn 

demeaned; demeaning

transitive verb

: to lower in character, status, or reputation

careful not to demean his opponent

demeaning the seriousness of the problem

demean

2 of 2

verb (2)

demeaned; demeaning

transitive verb

: to conduct or behave (oneself) usually in a proper manner

… he might have been observed to demean himself as a person with nothing to do …

—Henry James †1916

Did you know?

There are two words spelled demean in English. One has a construction similar to its synonym, debase: where debase combines the prefix de- with an adjective base, meaning “low” or “vile,” demean applies de- to the adjective mean, meaning “inferior or contemptible.” The basic meaning the pair shares, “to lower in character or esteem,” is quite at odds with that of the other demean: “to conduct or behave oneself.” This demean comes from the Anglo-French verb demener (“to conduct”), and is generally used in formal contexts to specify a type of behavior, as in “he demeaned himself in a most unfriendly manner”; “she demeaned herself as befitting her station in life”; and “they knew not how to demean themselves in the king’s presence.” As such, it may be possible to demean someone for the way they demean themselves, though we assert that would be doubly mean.

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• abase
• bastardize
• canker
• cheapen
• corrupt
• debase
• debauch
• degrade
• demoralize
• deprave
• deteriorate
• lessen
• pervert
• poison
• profane
• prostitute
• subvert
• vitiate
• warp

Verb (2)

• acquit
• bear
• behave
• carry
• comport
• conduct
• deport
• quit

Examples of demean in a Sentence

Verb (1)

it demeans the political process to demand that candidates make promises that everyone knows are unrealistic

his statement was not meant to demean the group's hard work

Verb (2)

I shall endeavor to demean myself with utmost respect when our pastor comes to visit

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The two musicians released several tunes, with each one aiming to insult and demean the other, while also showcasing the talents of the artist behind the cut. Lamar and Drake both ended up scoring big hits on the Billboard charts with their diss tunes. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024

Trump won’t do anything for you, other than denigrate and demean you. —Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 16 Oct. 2024

The job of a coach is to teach and support the team, not to demean them — though sometimes that does happen. —Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2024

The racist trope claiming immigrants cook and serve household pets has been used to demean and ostracize migrants for more than a century. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

de- + mean entry 2, probably after debase

Verb (2)

Middle English demenen, demeynen "to rule, control, decide, arrange, keep within bounds, moderate, behave (in a certain way), conduct (oneself)," borrowed from Anglo-French demein-, tonic stem of demener "to lead, guide, carry on, subject to, treat, agitate," (intransitive) "to strive, thrash about," (reflexive) "to behave" (also continental Old & Middle French), from de- de- + mener "to lead, bring," going back to Latin mināre "to push, impel (an animal forward)," active form of the deponent verb minārī "to threaten" — more at minatory

Note: The verb mināre "to impel, drive (an animal)" is marginally attested in later classical Latin but more fully in Late Latin; in the Vulgate the object can also be human or inanimate. In early medieval Latin the notion "drive" shifted to "lead," a sense continued by Romance descendants of mināre (as French mener, Upper Engadine Romansh mner, Italian menare, Occitan & Catalan menar). The Old French prefixed derivative demener displays a wide array of meanings, which in part were passed through Anglo-French to Middle English demenen. The verbs in the modern languages—French démener, English demean—retain few of these meanings.

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1601, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

demean

1 of 2 verb

de·​mean di-ˈmēn 

demeaned; demeaning

: to conduct or behave (oneself) usually in a proper manner

he demeans himself like a true gentleman

demean

2 of 2 verb

demeaned; demeaning

: degrade sense 2, debase

demeaned themselves by dishonesty