# abase

/ɐbˈeɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abase
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Senses

### 1. to humble or humiliate

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

to act in a way that makes you feel less important or lose respect.

For teachers: to lower in rank, prestige, or estimation; frequently used reflexively to describe self-humiliation or extreme submissiveness.

- He refused to abase himself by begging for his old job back.
- The defeated minister was forced to abase himself before the committee, offering a public apology that many viewed as a final act of political desperation.

### 2. to lower physically

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

to move something lower or to look down.

For teachers: to lower physically or to cast down, such as lowering one's eyes or head in shame or respect.

- She abased her eyes as the king walked past her in the hall.
- In the presence of such overwhelming majesty, the pilgrims abased their heads to the dusty floor, not daring to look upon the altar.

## Examples

- He refused to abase himself by begging for his job back.
- The prisoner was forced to abase himself before the king to show total submission.
- In many ancient court rituals, visiting dignitaries were expected to abase themselves through elaborate physical gestures to acknowledge the emperor's supreme authority.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and is frequently used reflexively ('to abase oneself').

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.