Demeaning
/dɪˈmiːnɪŋ/
adjectiveverbB2present participle
Definition
Demeaning describes something that makes a person feel bad about themselves or less important. It can be an action, behavior, or language that lowers someone's respect or honor. When you demean someone, you treat them in a way that reduces their confidence or value.
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⚡ See It in Action
Causing a loss of respect or dignity
- •His comments were demeaning and made her feel ashamed.
- •The boss’s demeaning tone upset all the employees.
- •It is wrong to use demeaning language towards anyone.
The act of lowering someone's value or importance
- •She felt demeaning when others ignored her ideas.
- •The movie showed demeaning stereotypes that hurt people’s feelings.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "demeaning" like "rude," but focused on making someone feel small or unimportant inside
- ✓Picture someone speaking loudly and saying mean things that make another person look down or feel sad
- ✓It's the feeling when someone makes fun of you or treats you like you are not good enough
- ✓Sounds like "de-meaning" → imagine someone "taking away the meaning" or value from a person, making them feel empty or less
- ✓Remember a story where a character is bullied or insulted and feels hurt inside—that is a demeaning moment
- ✓NOT like "joking" (which can be light and fun), "demeaning" hurts feelings and lowers respect
- ✓NOT like "criticizing" (which can be helpful), "demeaning" is negative and makes someone feel bad on purpose
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Belittling: making someone feel unimportant or small (Use when focusing on making someone feel less important)
- •Humiliating: causing shame or embarrassment (Use when the feeling is strong shame or public embarrassment)
- •Disrespectful: showing lack of respect (Use when the focus is on not showing respect, but not always deeply hurting feelings)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "de-" (down, away) + root "mean" (to have value or importance) + suffix "-ing" (present participle form)
- •Etymology: From Latin "minari" meaning to threaten, evolved in English to "demean" meaning to lower in dignity or value
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s to describe lowering someone's status or respect
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe words, actions, or attitudes that hurt someone's pride or respect
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How can words be demeaning even if they are not meant to hurt someone?
•Can a demeaning action ever be helpful, or is it always negative? Why?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.When a teacher uses demeaning language, it can ___ a student's confidence and ___ their learning.
2.People feel demeaning treatment when others ___ their opinions or ___ them in public.
3.Unlike friendly teasing, demeaning comments usually ___ feelings and ___ respect.
4.She kept quiet because she didn’t want to seem ___ or make the situation more ___.
5.Demeaning behavior often ___ trust and makes teamwork ___.
6.The manager’s demeaning tone made the workers feel ___ and less ___ about their jobs.
7.If someone is demeaning you, it usually means they want to ___ your value or ___ your dignity.