demean
Verb
Hard difficulty
What does “demean” mean?
verb.to cause a severe loss in the dignity of and respect for (someone or something).
SAT Usage
this verb often appears in passages discussing social dynamics, personal relationships, or moral dilemmas. It emphasizes a deliberate action that undermines a person's dignity or status, distinguishing it from words like "humiliate," which may not always imply an intentional act of degradation.
Common Confusions
Demean implies a deliberate action that intentionally undermines someone's dignity, while belittle usually suggests a more passive or unintentional act of making someone feel less important.
Example Sentences
-
She refused to let her boss's remarks demean her dignity.
-
Her harsh comments about his artwork served only to demean his efforts, overshadowing the passion he poured into each brushstroke.
Word Parts: How to Remember “demean”
Break “demean” into its parts: de- (down, away, un-). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.
-
Prefix:
de-down, away, un- (Latin)