Demeaning behavior is that which is intended to cause a severe loss in the dignity and respect of someone; words or actions intended to debase, lower, degrade, discredit or devalue a person.
Behavior, correspondence, or language that frightens, humiliates, belittles, or degrades. Making repeated inappropriate comments about a person's appearance, habits, or interests. Telling jokes or anecdotes intended to demean others or make them feel unwelcome.
Modern usage means someone is intentionally trying to make others feel bad because they don't know or have something the condescending person assumes they possess themselves. demeaning - this adjective describes something that attempts, or actually does, lower another person's perceived reputation, value or dignity.
To be condescending is to interact with others in a way that implies that you're superior to them. It especially refers to when this is done in an arrogant or patronizing way—meaning when you act as if you're doing someone a favor by supposedly lowering yourself to their level of understanding or intelligence.
Condescending is a common dynamic in narcissistic relationships. This behavior can be traced back to the need desperate need narcissists feel to be above others.
Many people who condescend are insecure. They're looking for a way to to demonstrate their superiority and comfort themselves that you're no threat to them and that they're worthier than anyone else.
The adjective demeaning comes from the verb demean, which itself is based on the construction of the word "debase." The word demean has two almost opposite meanings, to degrade and to conduct oneself in a particular manner, usually a proper one. The adjective, however, always describes something that is degrading.
demanding, derogatory, disgraceful, humiliating, defamatory, degrading, disparaging, sarcastic, slanderous, unflattering, embarrassing, humbling, cheapening, downgrading, lowering, disgracing, base, boring, common, humdrum.
To demean someone is very mean. You are demeaning your sister or brother if you run their underwear up a flagpole. A teacher could demean a student by saying "You're stupid!" To demean is to insult: no one wants to be demeaned. Insulting language is often called demeaning.
: to lower in character, status, or reputation. careful not to demean his opponent. demeaning the seriousness of the problem. demean.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines the word "patronize" as "to speak to or behave towards someone as if they are stupid or not important." Similarly, Oxford Languages defines it as "to treat in a way that is apparently kind or helpful but that betrays a feeling of superiority."
Examples of demeaning behavior include criticizing a person in front of others, making jokes at another person's expense, rolling eyes after someone's comments, making sarcastic comments about a person.
There are a variety of causes for this type of behavior. Many factors make people put others down. Psychology says trauma from childhood, low self-esteem, and insecurity are a few major causes. If you want to understand relationships with people who put others down, psychology can help explain the complexity to you.
Calmly explain what the problem is and how their behavior is affecting you. Don't be afraid to firmly but politely ask them to explain their behavior. Use I-focused language so that the other person does not feel accused. For example, “I feel very disrespected when you speak to me in that tone of voice.”
Some common synonyms of belittle are decry, depreciate, and disparage. While all these words mean "to express a low opinion of," belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude. belittled the achievements of others.
/dɪˈmiː.nɪŋ/ causing someone to become or feel less respected: That advertisement is demeaning to women.
The legal term for someone ruining your reputation is “defamation of character”. Defamation describes the act of another spreading a false statement about you or your business via the written or spoken word. Slander and libel are the two main types of defamation.
People have a patronizing attitude and exhibit condescending behavior for different reasons, but usually, it boils down to insecurity and/or arrogance. Yes, you can definitely be arrogant and insecure at the same time. Here, we point out some behaviors people say that typically don't land well and foster negativity.
The fear of being socially judged is one of the most common forms of insecurity. Some people feel self-conscious, anxious, and fearful when in front of others. It doesn't matter whether it's a group of colleagues or family members.
Ignoring the perpetrator is often the best approach. If you don't give them the satisfaction of knowing that they have irritated you, they might simply stop being condescending. Selective deafness is always an option. One suggestion made to an online forum was to ask the offender to repeat themselves over and again.