demean1
/dɪˈmiːn
/verb [with object]
1Cause a severe loss in the dignity of and respect for (someone or something): I had demeaned the profession...
- But you abused, debased and threatened that woman, threatening her and demeaning her.
- The editor rejects as ‘drivel’ any suggestion that his paper may be demeaning women.
- I wish he would stop demeaning the provincial system in his writings.
Synonyms
degrading, humiliating, shaming, shameful, bringing shame, mortifying, abject, lowering, ignominious, undignified, inglorious, discrediting;
menial
informal infra dig
1.1 (demean oneself) Do something that is beneath one’s dignity: good potential MPs would not demean themselves by setting out to acquire popularity...
- Too many people, though - many of them female - still seem to think that a woman demeans herself when she wears a revealing dress.
- She says ambitious celebrities who appear topless or in bikinis in steamy photo shoots are ‘disgusting’ and are demeaning themselves.
- Neither demeaning themselves to meet low tastes, nor overbearing in their presentation, they fit in perfectly with their requirement as a typical TV presenter.
Synonyms
discredit, lower, lower someone's dignity, lower someone's status, degrade, debase, devalue, demote;
cheapen, abase, humble, humiliate, disgrace, dishonour;
(demean oneself) condescend, deign, stoop, descend
Origin
Early 17th century: from de- 'away, down' + the adjective mean2, on the pattern of debase.
demean2
/dɪˈmiːn/verb (demean oneself) archaic
Conduct oneself in a particular way: no man demeaned himself so honourably
Origin
Middle English (also in the sense 'manage, control'): from Old French demener 'to lead', based on Latin de- 'away' + minare 'drive (animals), drive on with threats' (from minari 'threaten').