as in insulting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value
demanded an apology for his demeaning comments
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demeaning
Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Many of the jobs available to young and inexperienced workers are entry-level roles in the retail, restaurant and service industries, and these jobs are often talked about in a demeaning way.
—Brandon Busteed, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Residents suddenly realized that Trump’s demeaning rhetoric about Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants could extend to them.
—Julia Preston, The New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2024
Even by his already demeaning standards, Trump's rallies and events have also taken a dark turn this fall.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for demeaning
Adjective
The film playfully critiques certain Muslim customs, but never in a demeaning way, while providing a heartwarming coming-of-age narrative that’s a tad predictable.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Many of the jobs available to young and inexperienced workers are entry-level roles in the retail, restaurant and service industries, and these jobs are often talked about in a demeaning way.
—Brandon Busteed, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Residents suddenly realized that Trump’s demeaning rhetoric about Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants could extend to them.
—Julia Preston, The New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2024
Even by his already demeaning standards, Trump's rallies and events have also taken a dark turn this fall.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for demeaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demeaning
Adjective
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Even more difficult in the day-to-day is Donald Trump’s relentless and insulting commentary.—
Ken Dryden,
The Atlantic,
23 Feb. 2025
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The incredibly insulting idea of canceling the name of the prolific U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde was bad enough.—
Naperville Sun,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Smoke can travel hundreds of miles, significantly degrading air quality and posing serious health risks, particularly for individuals with preexisting respiratory or other health conditions.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
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The first was in a degrading context: Brown University’s annual Spring Weekend, in 2013.—
Doreen St. Félix,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Lexington Law may be able to remove charge-offs and other derogatory marks depending on their legitimacy.—
Victor Rosario,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Feb. 2025
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Listen to this article CONCACAF has launched an investigation into an incident late in Tuesday’s Champions Cup match between the Colorado Rapids and LAFC in which LAFC defender Sergi Palencia allegedly used a derogatory term toward Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem.—
Braidon Nourse,
The Denver Post,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Now, Microsoft has identified a resurfaced malware that has returned after years, equipped with new malicious capabilities, including stealing sensitive information such as digital wallets and data from the legitimate Notes app.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
27 Feb. 2025
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As the technology behind deepfakes advances, the need to fight their malicious usage has never been greater.—
Rohan Pinto,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The 2023 Economic Report Of The President published in March of 2023 was relatively disparaging of cryptoassets and DLTs.—
Lawrence Wintermeyer,
Forbes,
5 Dec. 2024
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Prior to appearing on Cunningham's show on Monday, Huggins made more disparaging remarks about Xavier.—
Emily DeLetter,
The Enquirer,
10 May 2023
Adjective
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His character is the family patriarch and an abusive alcoholic.—
Michael Paulson,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
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Childhood’s a hugely impressionable time, even when you’re not being brought on the set of Psycho II to re-create the abusive early years of a murderous character played as an adult by your own father.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In conservative circles, the pejorative label stuck.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Dec. 2024
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These asylum seekers came to be known as Vietnamese boat people, a name that has come to be regarded as pejorative — the sort of dehumanizing language often used in indexing immigrants.—
Brendan Quinn,
The Athletic,
1 July 2024
Adjective
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Though the pollen gunk will pass, he's concerned by a contingent of Twitter trolls who've shared uncomplimentary reviews of his recent North American tour.—
Jordan Runtagh,
PEOPLE.com,
21 Jan. 2022
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Neither party admitted to liability and each agreed to refrain from making disparaging, negative or uncomplimentary statements about the other, the document said.—
Lorraine Mirabella,
Baltimore Sun,
29 July 2022
Cite this Entry
“Demeaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demeaning. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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