lower dignity

USAGE SUMMARY

"lower dignity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to diminish or reduce someone's level of respect or honor. You can use "lower dignity" in various contexts, such as in a formal essay, a news article, or a speech. Example: The disrespectful comments made by the politician towards his opponent lower the dignity of the political discourse.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

IUs with a relatively low educational status reported lower dignity scores compared to those with better education (p = 0.033; impact = 0.71).

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He will have to raise his game, and really lower his dignity, if he hopes to match the record of his forebears.

The Guardian - Sport

"The street kids are the ones who have suffered the most at the hands of the police, and their demands are much lower — some dignity, respect from the police, a little better life economically," he said.

The New York Times

"Some men will say don't wash because it will lower their dignity" (Community FGD, 19 year old man).

AIDS and Behavior

However, half a dozen respondents, a mix of female and male, suggested that it could be a sign of disrespect to a man for a woman to wash after sex: "Some men will say don't wash because it will lower their dignity" (Community FGD, 19 year old man).

AIDS and Behavior

Don't lower your dignity by hitting or punching.

WikiHow

As a result, Abdiaziz and the alleged victim, along with her husband, have been charged with falsifying the rape accusation and "insulting and lowering the dignity of the state" and have been sentenced to a year in prison.

The Guardian - Opinion

A two-judge panel found her guilty of "scandalizing" the court and "lowering its dignity through her statements," saying freedom of speech did not grant a license to do that.

The New York Times

NAIROBI, Kenya — The Somali government, in a move that has outraged human rights groups, has charged a woman who said she was gang-raped by soldiers with making a false accusation and having "insulted and lowered the dignity of a National Institution," crimes that could mean many years in prison.

The New York Times

Among the most repressive laws in the country is the Electronic Transactions Law, which carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years for distributing information in digital form that is deemed "detrimental to the interest of or that lowers the dignity of any organization or any person".

The New York Times

Mthobisi: Towards other men, if like you have lowered his dignity as a man… Interviewer: Can you give me an example?

Global Health Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lower dignity", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "undermine" or "erode" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

While "lower dignity" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your prose sound repetitive. Vary your language by using stronger verbs like "degrade" or "compromise", or by rephrasing to use nouns such as "loss of dignity."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lower dignity" primarily functions as a verb phrase where "lower" acts as a transitive verb taking "dignity" as its direct object. It describes the act of diminishing or reducing someone's sense of self-worth or honor. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lower dignity" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the act of diminishing someone's sense of self-respect or honor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, primarily within news media and scientific discussions. While "lower dignity" is widely understood, writers should consider alternatives such as "reduce dignity" or "undermine dignity" to achieve greater precision and avoid repetition, especially in formal writing. Over all, this phrase is a useful tool for expressing disapproval concerning actions or situations impacting perceived worth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce dignity

Emphasizes the act of lessening someone's dignity.

diminish dignity

Highlights a decrease in dignity.

degrade dignity

Focuses on a more severe reduction in dignity.

undermine dignity

Suggests a gradual weakening of dignity.

erode dignity

Implies a slow and destructive loss of dignity.

compromise dignity

Indicates a situation where dignity is sacrificed.

impair dignity

Signifies damage to one's dignity.

besmirch dignity

Focuses on tarnishing or staining dignity.

damage dignity

Emphasizes the harm inflicted on someone's dignity.

cheapen dignity

Highlights the reduction of dignity's value.

FAQs

How can I use "lower dignity" in a sentence?

You can use "lower dignity" to describe actions or situations that diminish someone's sense of self-respect or honor. For instance, "The constant insults from his colleagues served to lower his dignity".

What is another way to say "lower dignity"?

Alternatives to "lower dignity" include "reduce dignity", "diminish dignity", or "degrade dignity", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "reduce dignity" or "lower dignity"?

Both "reduce dignity" and "lower dignity" are acceptable, but "reduce dignity" might sound slightly more formal in some contexts. The best choice depends on the overall tone and style of your writing.

What does it mean to say something "lowers the dignity of the state"?

Saying something "lowers the dignity of the state" implies that the action or statement undermines the respect, honor, or authority associated with a government or nation. It suggests a weakening of the state's perceived legitimacy or standing.