degrade oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "degrade oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that lower one's dignity or self-respect. Example: "He felt that by accepting the unfair treatment, he would degrade oneself in the eyes of his peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hard times and rough circumstances are not excuses for degrading others or allowing oneself to be degraded.

The New York Times

My parents didn't receive benefits when living in England, yet our poverty was no less degrading as a result; it is not more dignified to offer oneself as cheap, easily exploitable labour.

The Guardian - Opinion

To define oneself as simply agnostic (which I believe you truly are) sounds unsatisfingly wishy-washy and degrades your ability to take a firm stand against deism, in its various forms.

HuffPost

"One must show oneself deserving," he said.

The New Yorker

Is it possible to smack down oneself?

The New Yorker

Pacing oneself, thus, is virtually impossible.

The New York Times

The potential for enriching oneself is ample.

The New York Times

They degrade and delegitimize.

The New Yorker

"The hardest coming out is to oneself".

The New Yorker

It is impossible to tear oneself away.

Independent

"Pretending to scare oneself," he announced.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "degrade oneself" when you want to emphasize that someone's actions are causing them to lose respect or dignity. Ensure the context clearly indicates the self-inflicted nature of the degradation.

Common error

Avoid using "degrade oneself" when the degradation is being inflicted by an external force. In such cases, use a passive construction like 'be degraded' or rephrase to show the external agent.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "degrade oneself" is as a reflexive verb phrase. It describes an action performed by someone that reflects negatively on themselves, causing a loss of dignity or self-respect. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "degrade oneself" is a grammatically correct, though relatively rare, reflexive verb phrase used to describe actions that diminish one's own dignity or self-respect. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates that the degradation is self-inflicted. Alternatives like "humiliate oneself" or "lower oneself" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Humiliate oneself

Focuses specifically on the act of causing oneself to feel ashamed or foolish.

Lower oneself

Suggests a reduction in status or moral standing.

Debase oneself

Emphasizes a corruption or moral decline in one's actions.

Compromise one's principles

Indicates a surrender of moral or ethical standards.

Sacrifice one's dignity

Highlights the loss of self-respect in a particular situation.

Degrade one's integrity

Emphasizes the damaging of one's moral soundness.

Devalue oneself

Focuses on diminishing one's self-worth or self-perception.

Undermine one's character

Suggests actions that weaken or damage one's moral qualities.

Cheapen oneself

Implies making oneself seem less valuable or respectable.

Tarnish one's image

Focuses on damaging one's reputation or public perception.

FAQs

What does "degrade oneself" mean?

The phrase "degrade oneself" means to lower one's own dignity or self-respect through one's actions or behavior. It suggests a loss of personal value or integrity.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "degrade oneself"?

Use "degrade oneself" when discussing situations where someone's actions are causing them to be seen as less worthy or respectable, especially when they are aware of the potential consequences.

What are some alternatives to "degrade oneself"?

Alternatives include "humiliate oneself", "lower oneself", or "debase oneself". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "degrade oneself" differ from "be degraded"?

"Degrade oneself" implies a voluntary action that leads to self-degradation, whereas "be degraded" suggests that someone or something is causing the degradation.