Meaning & use
demean
To cause someone to seem less worthy of respect; to lower in dignity or character.
See it in a sentence
His sarcastic comments seemed designed to demean his colleague in front of the team.
She refused to demean herself by responding to such an insulting accusation.
A note on using this word
Demean is often confused with 'demeanor,' meaning outward behavior, though the two words come from different roots.
Words with a similar meaning
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Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
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