Demean
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /dɪˈmiːn/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Demean is a verb meaning To debase; to lower; to degrade.
Meaning
To debase; to lower; to degrade.
More Meanings
- To humble; to humiliate.
- To mortify.
- (now rare) To conduct; to behave; to comport; followed by the reflexive pronoun.
- demesne.
- (obsolete) To manage; to conduct; to treat.
- (obsolete) Management; treatment.
- (obsolete) Behavior; conduct; bearing; demeanor.
Example Sentences
with grave demean and solemn vanity
But now, as our obdurate clergy have with violence demeaned the matter.
they have demean'd themselves Like men born to renown by life or death.
‘When thou hast all this doen, then bring me newes / Of his demeane […].’
Word Forms
- demeans
- demeaning
- demeaned
Synonyms for demean
Depending on context, synonyms include abase, debase, defame, degrade, demote, discredit.
Antonyms for demean
Common opposites include aggrandize, glorify.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include degrade, disgrace, put down, humiliate, abase, devalue.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.