demeaning
Lowering one's worth
Demeaning describes something that lowers dignity or respect—actions, words, or treatment that make someone feel inferior or worthless: The boss's demeaning comments destroyed morale.
What feels demeaning varies by context; being asked to fetch coffee might demean a senior executive but not an intern.
The verb demean means to lower in status or character.
Insulting group label
- tauntInsulting provocation
- disparageExpress low opinion of
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
scorn · denigrate · affront · vilify · abuse · jeer · slight · offend
Hostile dismissive feeling
- disdainScornful disregard
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
- sneerScornful expression
loathing · disgust · disrespect · look down on · contemptuous · haughty · supercilious · superior
Express low opinion of
- scoffMock with disdain
- derideMock with contempt
- mockScornful imitation or fake
- sneerScornful expression
taunt · jeer · spurn · rebuke · condescend · patronize · discredit · slight
Reduce to smallest extent
- trivializeMake light of
- diminishTo make smaller
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
- disparageExpress low opinion of
devalue · condescend · patronize · underrate · depreciate · discount · dismiss · reduce
slur
Insulting group label
ridicule · scorn · denigrate · affront · vilify · abuse · jeer · slight · offend · deride
scorn
Hostile dismissive feeling
- disdainScornful disregard
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
sneer · loathing · disgust · disrespect · look down on · contemptuous · haughty · supercilious · superior · dismissive
disparage
Express low opinion of
sneer · taunt · jeer · spurn · rebuke · condescend · patronize · discredit · slight · dismiss
minimize
Reduce to smallest extent
- trivializeMake light of
- diminishTo make smaller
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
disparage · devalue · condescend · patronize · underrate · depreciate · discount · dismiss · reduce · marginalize
mortify
Cause severe embarrassment
dishonor · degrade · debase · humble · abase · stigmatize · crush · deflate · put down · demoralize
- condescendingpatronizing, disdainful, scornful, dismissive, belittling
- disgracedishonor, disgrace, downfall, stigma, scandal
- dismissive behaviorssnub, scorn, ignore, disdain, dismissal
- disrespectinsulting, belittling, mocking, ridiculing, scorning
- mockerymockery, ridiculing, jeers, jeering, jibes
- offendinginsulting, offending, disrespecting, affronting, slighting
demeaningdignifying
Giving unearned respect
respectful · honoring · dignified · elevating · ennobling
demeaninguplifting
Emotionally encouraging
affirming · empowering · encouraging · validating · praising