Meaning & use

demeaning

adjective·Academic

Causing someone to feel that their dignity or worth has been lowered.

See it in a sentence

The manager's demeaning comments about her work left the intern close to tears.

He refused to take a demeaning job that required him to grovel for tips.

A note on using this word

Demeaning describes a remark or action, not a permanent trait, and is unrelated to the word demeanor, meaning bearing or manner.

Words with a similar meaning

degradinghumiliating

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

respectfuldignifying

Make it your own

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