Degrade vs. Demean — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 16, 2024
"Degrade" refers to lowering status, quality, or character, often in a broad context; "demean" specifically means causing someone to lose dignity or respect, typically through behavior.
Difference Between Degrade and Demean
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Degrade" often implies a reduction in quality, status, or condition across various contexts, such as materials, status, or moral standing, while "demean" specifically focuses on causing a person to lose dignity, often through disrespectful behavior.
In environmental science, "degrade" can describe the breakdown of natural materials or pollutants, whereas "demean" has no application in such contexts, being strictly related to human interactions and ethics.
"Degrade" can be used in both transitive and intransitive senses, referring to something deteriorating on its own or being reduced by external factors; on the other hand, "demean" is primarily transitive, involving an agent who actively disparages another.
In technology, data quality might "degrade" over time due to factors like compression, whereas "demean" would not be applicable, as it is tied to personal or social degradation.
The verb "degrade" can apply to both physical and metaphorical contexts, suggesting a broad range of use from scientific descriptions to social commentary, whereas "demean" is more narrowly focused on social and ethical implications regarding personal conduct.
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Comparison Chart
Primary meaning
Lower in quality or status
Cause loss of respect
Usage context
Broad (materials, status)
Specific (personal respect)
Transitivity
Transitive/Intransitive
Transitive
Applicability
Environmental, technical
Social, ethical
Implication scope
General degradation
Personal dignity impact
Compare with Definitions
Degrade
Break down chemically.
The compound degrades rapidly in sunlight.
Demean
Reduce in moral or cultural status.
The scandalous behavior demeaned the institution's reputation.
Degrade
Deteriorate over time.
The image quality degrades with each copy made.
Demean
Behave in a way that lowers one’s status.
He demeaned himself by lying to everyone.
Degrade
Lower in dignity or esteem.
The harsh criticism could degrade his confidence.
Demean
Treat someone disrespectfully.
Bullying is a typical way to demean others in schools.
Degrade
Demote in rank.
The officer was degraded to basic ranks after the misconduct.
Demean
Insult or humiliate.
The comments on social media demeaned his achievements.
Degrade
Reduce in quality or functionality.
Repeated use has degraded the machine's performance.
Demean
Cause someone to lose dignity.
His mocking tone demeaned her in front of her peers.
Degrade
To lower in quality or value; make inferior or less valuable
Land that was degraded by overgrazing.
A virus that degrades the computer's performance.
Demean
To conduct or behave (oneself) in a particular manner
Demeaned themselves well in class.
Degrade
To lower in dignity; dishonor or disgrace
Seemed to feel that he was degrading himself in accepting the invitation.
Demean
To lower in status or character; degrade or humble
Professionals who feel demeaned by unskilled work.
Degrade
To reduce in grade, rank, or status; demote.
Demean
To debase; to lower; to degrade.
Degrade
(Geology) To lower or wear away by erosion or weathering.
Demean
To humble, humble oneself; to humiliate.
Degrade
To cause (an organic compound) to undergo degradation.
Demean
To mortify.
Degrade
To fall to a lower rank or status.
Demean
(obsolete) To manage; to conduct; to treat.
Degrade
To undergo degradation; decompose
A chemical that degrades rapidly.
Demean
(now rare) To conduct; to behave; to comport; followed by the reflexive pronoun.
Degrade
(transitive) To lower in value or social position.
Fred degrades himself by his behaviour.
Demean
To subtract the mean from (a value, or every observation in a dataset).
Degrade
To reduce in quality or purity.
The DNA sample has degraded.
Demean
(obsolete) Management; treatment.
Degrade
To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.
Demean
(obsolete) Behavior; conduct; bearing; demeanor.
Degrade
To reduce from a higher to a lower rank or degree; to lower in rank; to deprive of office or dignity; to strip of honors; as, to degrade a nobleman, or a general officer.
Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be degraded from the bar.
Demean
Demesne.
Degrade
To reduce in estimation, character, or reputation; to lessen the value of; to lower the physical, moral, or intellectual character of; to debase; to bring shame or contempt upon; to disgrace; as, vice degrades a man.
O miserable mankind, to what fallDegraded, to what wretched state reserved!
Yet time ennobles or degrades each line.
Her pride . . . struggled hard against this degrading passion.
Demean
Resources; means.
Degrade
To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.
Demean
To manage; to conduct; to treat.
[Our] clergy have with violence demeaned the matter.
Degrade
To degenerate; to pass from a higher to a lower type of structure; as, a family of plants or animals degrades through this or that genus or group of genera.
Demean
To conduct; to behave; to comport; - followed by the reflexive pronoun.
They have demeaned themselvesLike men born to renown by life or death.
They answered . . . that they should demean themselves according to their instructions.
Degrade
Reduce the level of land, as by erosion
Demean
To debase; to lower; to degrade; - followed by the reflexive pronoun.
Her son would demean himself by a marriage with an artist's daughter.
Degrade
Reduce in worth or character, usually verbally;
She tends to put down younger women colleagues
His critics took him down after the lecture
Demean
Management; treatment.
Vile demean and usage bad.
Degrade
Lower the grade of something; reduce its worth
Demean
Behavior; conduct; bearing; demeanor.
With grave demean and solemn vanity.
Demean
Demesne.
Demean
Resources; means.
You knowHow narrow our demeans are.
Demean
Reduce in worth or character, usually verbally;
She tends to put down younger women colleagues
His critics took him down after the lecture
Common Curiosities
Can "degrade" apply to digital information?
Yes, digital data can degrade due to factors like data compression, corruption, or lossy transmission.
What can be degraded besides materials or substances?
Concepts, values, or even relationships can degrade over time due to neglect or adverse conditions.
Does "demean" always involve intent?
Typically, demeaning behavior involves intent to lower someone's dignity, but it can also occur unintentionally through careless words or actions.
Is it possible for a place to be demeaned?
While places themselves cannot be demeaned, actions can demean the reputation or perceived value of a place.
Can a job or professional position be demeaned?
Yes, a professional position can be demeaned by actions or statements that make it appear less respectable or worthy.
Can technology itself be said to degrade, or just its performance?
Both technology and its performance can degrade; the former refers to physical deterioration, while the latter refers to loss of functionality.
Are there synonyms for "degrade" that reflect its environmental usage?
Yes, terms like "decompose," "decay," and "deteriorate" are often used synonymously in environmental contexts.
What is an example of unintentional demeaning behavior?
Making an off-hand comment that belittles someone's achievements without realizing its impact can be an unintentional demeaning behavior.
What are common contexts where "degrade" is used apart from environmental?
"Degrade" is also commonly used in military, technological, and social contexts to describe reductions in status, functionality, or integrity.
What happens to organic materials when they degrade?
Organic materials break down into simpler substances, often becoming part of natural cycles like composting or nutrient recycling.
How does "degrade" interact with the concept of morality?
Morality can degrade when societal norms and values deteriorate over time or due to negative influences.
Does "demean" have any legal implications?
Yes, demeaning behavior, especially in the workplace, can lead to legal actions related to harassment or discrimination.
How can one avoid demeaning others in conversation?
Being mindful of language, respecting personal and cultural sensitivities, and engaging in active listening can help avoid demeaning others.
What is the difference between "degrading" and "depreciating"?
"Degrading" refers to lowering quality, value, or dignity, while "depreciating" specifically refers to a decrease in monetary value over time, often used in financial or economic contexts.
Can "demean" be used in a positive context?
"Demean" is generally negative and used to describe actions that negatively impact someone's dignity or respect.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
