exercise of abasement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercise of abasement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing actions or behaviors that involve humiliation or degradation, often in a formal or literary setting. Example: "The exercise of abasement in the ritual was intended to demonstrate the subjects' submission to authority."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

With each exercise of abasement and exploitation, their appetite grows.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The waltzes were sent anonymously, as a gesture of abasement, to the Austrian emperor.

The Guardian - Books

Other designers consider the personal appearance an act of abasement, to which creative people should not fall.

The New York Times

Throughout all these acts of abasement and bravado, Banks seemed, as she always does on "Top Model," analytically and emotionally invested.

The New York Times

In a mountain resort, they wander paths through dark pines to a nunnery, where they walk in on a dark tableau of abasement.

The Guardian - Books

By Amy Davidson Sorkin October 17, 2017 Mitch McConnell's joint appearance with President Trump was a ritual of abasement in the form of a press conference.

The New Yorker

There's a certain mutuality of abasement here, with one poet's littleness being put on record, while the other is diminished by having needed to mention it.

The Guardian - Books

He picks up an indigent prostitute, allows himself to be set upon by her pimps, and, in a final ecstasy of abasement, begs them not to report him to the police.

The New Yorker

Rereading it awakened certain sensations from my Sunday-school education, more than sixty years ago, when I seemed to stand on the edge of a brink gazing down at polychrome miniatures of abasement and terror, betrayal and reconciliation.

The New Yorker

Such an attitude of abasement or self-subordination toward Israel, often accompanied by a peculiar vicarious nostalgia, is not confined to American Jews or billionaires.

Huffington Post

The study noted significant differences between medical/surgical nurses and mental health nurses on eight variables, the most significant being the psychological characteristics of abasement, exhibition and introception.

BMC Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exercise of abasement", consider the formality of the context. It's best suited for literary, historical, or analytical writing where a strong, evocative term is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "exercise of abasement" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or pretentious in everyday settings. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives like "act of humiliation" or "degrading action".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise of abasement" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the performance or practice of an act of humbling or degrading oneself or another. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in describing historical events and personal behaviors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exercise of abasement" is an uncommon but grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the act of humbling or degrading oneself or another. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to describe a deliberate action that involves lowering one's status. The phrase is best suited for formal, historical, or analytical writing, as its register is generally formal and scientific. When using this phrase, consider simpler alternatives like "act of humiliation" or "practice of degradation" in less formal contexts. Remember that overuse may sound pretentious in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Act of self-humiliation

Focuses specifically on the act being directed towards oneself.

Practice of degradation

Emphasizes the repeated or habitual nature of the degrading action.

Ritual of submission

Highlights the formal or ceremonial aspect of yielding to authority.

Display of subservience

Focuses on the outward demonstration of being subordinate.

Performance of debasement

Emphasizes the theatrical or staged quality of the degrading act.

Enactment of humiliation

Highlights the carrying out or implementation of a humiliating action.

Imposition of degradation

Emphasizes that the action is being forced upon someone or something.

Process of humbling

Highlights the procedure of making someone or something modest or lowering their importance.

Deed of self-mortification

Focuses on the act of disciplining oneself through self-denial or suffering.

Instance of self-belittlement

Highlights an example of making oneself seem unimportant or insignificant.

FAQs

What does "exercise of abasement" mean?

The phrase "exercise of abasement" refers to the act of humbling or degrading oneself or someone else, often as a display of submission or repentance.

How can I use "exercise of abasement" in a sentence?

You might use it to describe a historical ritual or a character's actions in literature, for example: "The ritual involved an elaborate "act of humiliation".

What are some synonyms for "exercise of abasement"?

Alternatives include "act of humiliation", "practice of degradation", or "ritual of submission depending on the specific context".

In what contexts is "exercise of abasement" most appropriate?

This phrase is best suited for formal writing, historical analysis, or literary contexts where a strong, evocative term is needed to describe acts of humiliation or degradation.