Demean
/dɪˈmiːn/
verbB2
Definition
Demean means to treat someone in a way that lowers their dignity or respect. It often happens when someone speaks or acts in a way that makes another person feel bad, small, or unimportant. It is usually negative and can hurt feelings.
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See It in Action
To lower someone's dignity or respect by words or actions
- •He demeaned his colleague by making fun of her mistakes.
- •It is wrong to demean others because of their appearance.
- •The teacher warned the students not to demean anyone in class.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "demean" like "hurt" but with feelings about respect and value, not physical pain.
- ✓Picture someone lowering a trophy on the ground—like lowering a person's honor or worth.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone says something rude that makes you feel small or embarrassed.
- ✓Sounds like "de-MEAN" → imagine someone taking away the "mean" (kindness or respect) from a person, making them feel bad.
- ✓In stories, bullies often demean others by teasing or insulting them.
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (which means not paying attention), "demean" actively lowers respect and value.
- ✓NOT like "punish" (which is a formal penalty), "demean" is more about emotional or social harm.
- ✓NOT like "criticize" (which can be helpful or neutral), "demean" always makes someone feel worse about themselves.
Try Other Words
- •Belittle: to make someone feel less important (Use when the focus is on making someone feel small or unimportant)
- •Disrespect: to show a lack of respect (Use when the action is about not honoring someone's value)
- •Humiliate: to make someone feel ashamed or embarrassed (Use when the goal is to cause shame or strong embarrassment)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "de-" means down, away, or removal
- •Root: "mean" from Old English "mænan," meaning to intend or signify; here it relates to value or respect
- •Etymology: From Latin "minuere" (to lessen) through Old French and Middle English influences
- •Historical development: Originally related to lowering status or value; now used mainly for lowering dignity or respect through behavior or speech
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe actions or words that reduce someone's social or personal value, often in emotional or social contexts
Reflect & Connect
•How can words demean someone even if they are not physically harmful?
•Can you think of a time when someone demeaned you or someone else? How did it feel and how was it handled?
Fill in the blanks
1.When a boss demeans an employee, it often ___ their confidence and work motivation.
2.People who demean others usually ___ respect for them in return.
3.Unlike simple criticism, to demean someone means to ___ their value or dignity.
4.The teacher told the students not to demean ___ classmates during group work.
5.When someone demeans you, it can make you feel ___ or unimportant.
6.Demean is often used with words like "constantly" or "publicly" to show the ___ of the action.
7.If you want to help, do not demean but rather ___ and support others.