demeaning

UK: /dɪˈmiːnɪŋ/ US: (di mē′ning)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•mean•ing  (di mē′ning), adj. 

1. that demeans;
   debasing;
   degrading:
   Being forced to apologize when I had done nothing wrong was a demeaning task.

• demean¹ + -ing² 1875–80

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•mean¹ /dɪˈmin/   v. [ ~ + obj]

1. to lower in dignity or standing;
   debase;
   degrade:
   You demean the presidency by such conduct.

de•mean•ing, adj.: 

said manual labor was demeaning.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•mean¹  (di mēn′), v.t. 

1. to lower in dignity, honor, or standing;
   debase:
   He demeaned himself by accepting the bribe.

• de- + mean², modeled on debase 1595–1605

Synonyms

degrade, humble, humiliate, mortify.

Antonyms

dignify, honor.

de•mean²  (di mēn′), v.t. 

1. to conduct or behave (oneself ) in a specified manner.

n. 

2. [Archaic.] demeanor.

• Latin mināre to drive, minārī to threaten
• Anglo-French, Old French demener, equivalent. to de- de- + mener to lead, conduct
• Middle English deme(i)nen 1250–1300

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

demean / dɪˈmiːn/ verb

1. (transitive) to lower (oneself) in dignity, status, or character; humble; debase

Etymology: 17th Century: see de-, mean²; on the model of debase

demean / dɪˈmiːn/ verb

1. (transitive) to behave or conduct (oneself) in a specified way

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French demener, from de- + mener to lead, drive, from Latin mināre to drive (animals), from minārī to use threats