Abasing: meaning, definitions and examples

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abasing

 

[ əˈbeɪsɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

self-degradation

Abasing refers to the act of lowering or belittling oneself or one's dignity. It often involves humbling oneself to a point that may be considered excessive or demeaning. This concept is closely associated with feelings of shame or inferiority. People who abase themselves may do so either out of a sense of guilt or as a means of gaining acceptance or forgiveness from others.

Synonyms

belittle, degrade, demean, disgrace, humiliate

Examples of usage

  • She felt she was abasing herself by seeking their approval.
  • His constant self-deprecating jokes seemed to suggest he was abasing his own worth.
  • The pressure to conform led her to abase her own beliefs.
  • In his effort to please everyone, he ended up abasing his own achievements.

Translations

Translations of the word "abasing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 humilhante

🇮🇳 अपमानजनक

🇩🇪 erniedrigend

🇮🇩 merendahkan

🇺🇦 принижуючий

🇵🇱 poniżający

🇯🇵 屈辱的な

🇫🇷 humiliant

🇪🇸 humillante

🇹🇷 aşağılayan

🇰🇷 모욕적인

🇸🇦 مهين

🇨🇿 ponižující

🇸🇰 ponižujúci

🇨🇳 贬低的

🇸🇮 ponižujoč

🇮🇸 niðurlægjandi

🇰🇿 ұятты

🇬🇪 მოღალატური

🇦🇿 təhqir edən

🇲🇽 humillante

Word origin

The term 'abasing' derives from the Old French word 'abaisser', which means 'to lower'. It has its roots in the Latin word 'abassare', where 'a-' signifies 'down' and 'bassus' means 'low'. Historically, the word was used to describe the action of reducing something in stature or status. Over time, the usage evolved to encompass not just physical lowering but also the metaphorical act of humbling oneself or being made to feel inferior. The word 'abase' began appearing in English literature around the 15th century, often in contexts associated with social hierarchies and the need for individuals to demonstrate humility in the presence of authority. The implications of abasing oneself have shifted through time, reflecting changing attitudes toward personal worth, dignity, and the dynamics of power in social interactions.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,732, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.