Terms Related To Social Hierarchy

verb to lower in dignity, honor, or standing; to degrade or humble

• Her constant criticism seemed to demean his efforts in front of the entire team.
• Stop trying to demean me in front of our friends.
• Don't let anyone demean you like that.
• His actions seemed to demean the very essence of their friendship.

noun a low or poor opinion of someone or something

verb to regard or treat with disfavor or lack of respect

• Her actions have caused her to fall into disesteem among her colleagues.
• Everyone disesteems him because of his rude behavior.
• She's been disesteemed by the whole group for spreading rumors.
• The artist's controversial work was met with disesteem by traditional art critics.

verb to humiliate or degrade someone

• The politician was accused of abasing himself in front of the wealthy donors.
• She felt like she was abasing herself by constantly apologizing for things that weren't her fault.
• Stop abasing yourself for that guy who doesn't even appreciate you.
• The artist's decision to paint himself in a position of servitude was seen as abasing his own talent.