French word

dégradant

Pronunciation

IPA/degʁadɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectivehumiliating

Example

Se moquer de lui est dégradant.

Making fun of him is humiliating.

Illustration for dégradant (humiliating)

More examples

Il a reçu un commentaire dégradant.

He received a degrading comment.

Core concept

Words or actions strip away someone's dignity, making the person feel reduced and ashamed.

Common phrases

  • un commentaire dégradant

    a degrading comment

  • un message dégradant

    a degrading message

  • un regard dégradant

    a degrading look

Similar words

rabaissant: Treating someone as inferior and making them feel looked down on.
humiliant: Causing someone to feel ashamed and humiliated.
blessant: Causing emotional pain or distress.
offensant: Causing offense, displeasure, or anger.

Definition in French

Qui diminue la valeur ou la dignité d'une personne par des paroles ou des actes, en suscitant humiliation ou honte.

Word origin

Dégradant is formed from the verb dégrader and retains the older idea of being moved down a level, from Latin gradus, a step or degree.

Usage tips

  • Dégradant describes what causes humiliation, while dégradé describes a person or thing that has been degraded, as in se sentir dégradé.

Other meanings

  • demeaningadjective
  • degradingadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word