貶(おとし)める

おとしめる
verb, ichidan
to disparage; to demean; to look down on
1. to disparage; to demean; to look down on
To treat someone or something as inferior, to belittle, or to damage someone's reputation through words or actions.
他人(たにん)を貶(おとし)めてはいけない。
You must not disparage others.
相手(あいて)を貶(おとし)めるような発言(はつげん)は慎(つつし)むべきだ。
One should refrain from making remarks that demean others.
自分(じぶん)の価値(かち)を高(たか)めるために他者(たしゃ)を貶(おとし)めるのは間違(まちが)ったやり方(かた)だ。
Putting others down to raise your own value is the wrong approach.

貶(おとし)める is a transitive ichidan verb. It carries a strongly negative connotation and implies deliberate belittling or degradation.

ASPECT (ている):
貶(おとし)めている describes an ongoing act of disparagement.

PARTICLE PATTERNS:

  • AをBと貶(おとし)める (disparage A as B)
  • Aを貶(おとし)める (put down A)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 人(ひと)を貶(おとし)める (disparage someone)
  • 名誉(めいよ)を貶(おとし)める (damage someone's honor)
  • 価値(かち)を貶(おとし)める (diminish the value of)

More literary and formal than 馬鹿(ばか)にする or 見下(みくだ)す. Often used in written contexts discussing discrimination, bullying, or ethical behavior.

general
Added 2026.2.28 19:58
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