abasement

USAGE SUMMARY

"abasement" is a valid word in the English language and is used often in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the action or condition of being lowered in dignity or self-esteem or being humbled or humiliated. Example sentence: After the scandal was exposed, the politician suffered a great abasement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The film's most powerful images are to put it mildly somewhat one-dimensional: they show a man enduring torture and abasement at the limits of human endurance, for a reason which a person unfamiliar with the story would find hard to discern.

The Economist

He saw the home run as an abasement of the game he loved, a cheap, undignified method of scoring runs.

The Economist

Cavendish offers a more artful and richly developed narrative, beautifully balanced between splendid scenes of Wolsey's glory and vanity and ironically contrasting scenes of disgrace, abasement, and painfully achieved self-knowledge.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The relationship between these two affirmations, otherness and nearness, is expressed in a Midrashic statement, "in every place that divine awesome majesty is mentioned in Scripture, divine abasement is spoken of, too".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nevertheless, French prestige collapsed with the abasement of the monarchy; Charles VII appears to have doubted his own legitimacy, and disorder spread again.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And, given the media's obsession with the "Labour overspent" narrative, a symbolic abasement from the next Labour leader feels almost inevitable.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Despite calls for a boycott in the nationalist press, the chain's swift self-abasement sufficed to quell the row, perhaps because it had already proved its commitment to national integrity by marketing a "McSahara" hamburger.But other offenders have got off less lightly.

The Economist

Post-Iraq, any hint of American bullying hits a nerve: Boris Johnson, the excitable mayor of London, spluttered that giving up Mr McKinnon would be "one of the most protoplasmic acts of self-abasement since Suez .Extraditions between Britain and America certainly are lopsided in number (see chart).

The Economist

"Judge not," he quoted from the Bible, "that ye be not judged".Such self-abasement is wise.

The Economist

She insists that Jesus of Nazareth made no claim to be divine: a famous New Testament passage that expounds both his self-abasement and divine glory does not mean what Christians think it means, she adds.Ms Armstrong has won admiration from Muslims and Jews for expounding their traditions in ways that earn respect from outsiders.

The Economist

Though there are references to such things as philosophy and empty deceit (2 8), Jewish-like practices (2 16), visions (2 18), and "rigour of devotion and self-abasement and severity to the body" (2 23), the source of these teachings is not quite clear.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abasement" when you want to emphasize the act or state of being lowered in rank, position, or reputation, often involving humiliation or degradation.

Common error

Avoid using "abasement" when the situation only involves mild disappointment or minor setbacks. "Abasement" carries a strong connotation of humiliation and degradation, so reserve it for situations where there is a significant loss of status or dignity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "abasement" is as a noun. It refers to the act of lowering someone or something in status or the state of being lowered. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe the consequences of actions or events that lead to a loss of dignity or respect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abasement" functions as a noun describing the state of being lowered in status or dignity, often involving humiliation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use in written English. Its primary contexts are News & Media and Encyclopedias, suggesting a formal register. When writing, use "abasement" to emphasize a significant loss of status, and avoid it in situations involving only mild disappointment. Related terms include "humiliation" and "degradation". The term appears most often in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humiliation

Focuses on the feeling of shame or embarrassment.

degradation

Emphasizes a decline to a lower state or condition.

humbling

Highlights the act of reducing someone's pride or arrogance.

disgrace

Implies a loss of reputation or respect.

shame

Highlights the feeling of dishonor or disgrace.

dishonor

Focuses on the loss of honor or good reputation.

mortification

Emphasizes a feeling of extreme embarrassment or shame.

subjugation

Highlights being brought under control or domination.

oppression

Focuses on the exercise of authority or power in a cruel or unjust manner.

subordination

Emphasizes the state of being lower in rank or position.

FAQs

How can I use "abasement" in a sentence?

You can use "abasement" to describe a state of being humiliated or degraded. For instance, "The public scandal led to his complete abasement."

What words can I use instead of "abasement"?

Alternatives to "abasement" include "humiliation", "degradation", or "humbling depending on the context".

Is it correct to use "abasement" in formal writing?

Yes, "abasement" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a significant lowering of status or dignity. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in reputable news and encyclopedic sources.

What is the difference between "abasement" and "humility"?

"Abasement" implies a forced or imposed lowering of status, often with shame, whereas "humility" suggests a voluntary recognition of one's limitations and a lack of arrogance.