demeans

Demeans is the third-person singular present tense of the verb demean. It means to cause someone to lose dignity or respect, or to treat someone in a way that belittles or degrades them. The act can be carried out through language, behavior, or social or institutional measures, and it may arise from belittling comments, disrespectful treatment, or condescending attitudes.

In usage, demeanings can be explicit, such as insults or abusive language, or more subtle, such as condescending tone, stereotyping, or unequal power dynamics. Demeaning conduct is commonly discussed in discussions of workplace culture, harassment policies, interpersonal relationships, and online discourse. The phrase "demeaning remarks" or "demeaning treatment" is frequently used to describe actions that undermine another person’s dignity.

Demean oneself refers to acting in a way that lowers one’s own dignity or self-respect, often through expressions of self-deprecation, humiliation, or compromising behavior. The concept is distinct from simply making a mistake or expressing disagreement; it emphasizes a reduction in perceived dignity.

Related terms include degrade, belittle, humiliate, and disrespect, while antonyms include dignify, respect, and uplift. In formal contexts, discussions of demeaning behavior may inform ethics guidelines, anti-harassment policies, and training aimed at promoting respectful communication.

Examples: “The manager’s constant put-downs demeans the team.” “He refused to demean himself by begging for money.”