Word: demeaning

Associations

Demeaning means to make someone feel less important or respected. It usually describes actions or words that lower the dignity of a person.

• Example 1: A manager made demeaning comments about an employee’s work. This made the employee feel disrespected and undervalued.
• Example 2: Bullying often involves demeaning words that hurt the victim's feelings and self-esteem.
• Example 3: Telling someone they are not smart enough can be demeaning and affect their confidence.

A well-known synonym for demeaning is "humiliating." The main difference is that "humiliating" usually suggests a more intense feeling of embarrassment, while "demeaning" focuses more on reducing someone’s worth.

Substitution

Some other phrases or words that can be used instead of demeaning include:

• Disparaging: This means criticizing someone in a way that shows a lack of respect. It is a bit more formal.
• Belittling: This focuses more on making someone feel small or unimportant.
• Insulting: This involves saying something offensive, but it may not always imply that the other person’s dignity is lowered.

Deconstruction

The word "demeaning" comes from the root "demean," which means to lower in dignity or worth. The prefix "de-" suggests a reversal or removal, and "mean" comes from the old word meaning to lower or diminish. Historically, "demeaning" relates to actions that degrade a person's status or respect.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where you felt someone was being demeaning? How did it make you feel?
• In what ways can you make sure not to use demeaning language when talking to others?
• Why do you think some people choose to speak in a demeaning way? What might be their reasons?