Elevating oneself is the appropriate antonym for demeaning oneself. It is the act of raising one's status or position instead of lowering it. One can elevate oneself by exhibiting confidence, sincerity, and competence. Confidence provides individuals with the courage to speak up for themselves and take on new challenges, while sincerity fosters genuine interactions with people. Competence, on the other hand, identifies one's ability to perform tasks efficiently, effectively, and appropriately, thus leading to more job opportunities or better relationships. When individuals display these characteristics, they tend to get more respect from others, feel better about themselves, and are more likely to attain their goals. Therefore, elevating oneself is a much better way to improve one's self-image than demeaning oneself.