Spanish word

envilecer

Pronunciation

IPA/embileˈθeɾ/

Meaning

  • verbdemean

Example

No deberías envilecer a nadie por su opinión.

You should not demean anyone for their opinion.

Illustration for envilecer (demean)

More examples

En redes sociales, muchos intentan envilecer a otros con comentarios anónimos.

On social networks, many attempt to demean others with anonymous comments.

Core concept

Reducing a person to a low or vile status.

Common phrases

  • no envilecer a nadie

    not demean anyone

  • envilecer la reputación

    demean the reputation

Similar words

humillar: Wounds a person's pride and causes shame or embarrassment.
denigrar: Damages a person's reputation through words or actions, making them seem worthless.
menospreciar: Treats a person's abilities or worth as unimportant or inferior.
degradar: Lowers a person's status or rank, diminishing their social value.

Definition in Spanish

Degradar o menospreciar a alguien, haciéndolo parecer vil o indigno.

Word origin

Derived from Latin vīlis (cognate with English vile) with Spanish en- plus the derivational suffix -ecer, yielding a verb meaning 'to make vile'.

Usage tips

  • Envilecer is stronger than despreciar or menospreciar and usually implies dehumanizing or deeply dishonoring someone.

Other meanings

  • corruptverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word