demeans 1 of 2

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of demean
1
as in degrades
to lower in character, dignity, or quality it demeans the political process to demand that candidates make promises that everyone knows are unrealistic

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2
as in humiliates
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes his statement was not meant to demean the group's hard work

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demeans

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of demean
as in behaves
to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way I shall endeavor to demean myself with utmost respect when our pastor comes to visit

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demeans
Verb
Most frustratingly, the secret traitor demeans us, the audience. — Raven Smith, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026 That conflict comes to a head in the middle of campus in the film’s most intense scene, as Alma verbally belittles and demeans her until Maggie snaps and suddenly smacks her mentor. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025 That’s another lazy phrase that demeans the dynamic of sport. — Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demeans
  1. degrades
  2. humiliates
  3. behaves
  4. weakens
  5. discredits
  6. carries
  7. corrupts
  8. acquits
Verb
  • The team also did impedance measurements to find out how fast the protection degrades.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Because the watermark degrades with more thorough editing or in shorter samples of text, its usefulness may also be uneven depending on the department or assignment.
    — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of degrades
Verb
  • Filming a scene in which Isaiah humiliates Cam, Withers asked Wayans to crack jokes about Kionte’s death — the defining event of Withers’ life, and his lowest point.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Diomande just humiliates fullbacks.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Definition of humiliates
Verb
  • Deep underground salt behaves like a slow-moving plastic under the weight of the earth (salt creep).
    — Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Leave it in its normal mode and the SQ5 behaves like a civilized luxury crossover.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of behaves
Verb
  • Siegel noted that measles weakens the immune system and increases the risk of pneumonia, which can stem from measles itself or from a secondary bacterial infection.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Employment has been a mostly resilient area of the economy even as stubborn inflation continues to squeeze businesses and households, while consumer confidence weakens.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakens
Verb
  • The praiseworthyness of having both sides of the debate evaporates when the host actively discredits the expert and reflexively enhances the legitimacy of the conspiracy theorist.
    — Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 1 Dec. 2025
  • Yet despite its popularity, research discredits this long-standing belief.
    — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
Definition of discredits
Verb
  • Out back, a single monoshock is mounted to the massive single-sided swingarm that carries the solo rear wheel shod in a wiiiide 305/30R20 Kenda meat.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Brooks ran for 106 yards on 27 carries last season while contributing primarily on special teams.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of carries
Verb
  • Forgetting his bond with the land, Mariano awakens the Ch’iqmi, a dark force that corrupts his people.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 25 June 2026
  • One nanny will try to get to the bottom of it before all the partying, power and privilege corrupts her.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of corrupts
Verb
  • That said, the older chip in the Ultra 3 acquits itself admirably.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 26 July 2026
  • In the proud lineage of pint-sized blonde women who’ve held their own against Madonna, Carpenter acquits herself quite well.
    — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
Definition of acquits

Browse Nearby Words

demeanors
demeans
demented
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Cite this Entry

“Demeans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demeans. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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