# abasedness

CEFR C2 · Noun

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

## Definition

the state of being treated as if you have no value or being made to feel very ashamed. It describes a deep loss of pride or social standing.

For teachers: the state of being lowered in rank, prestige, or character; a condition of deep humiliation or degradation.

## Examples

- The prisoner lived in a state of total abasedness.
- After the scandal, the politician lived in a state of abasedness, avoided by his former colleagues and the public alike.
- The novel explores the protagonist's journey from extreme abasedness to a hard-won sense of dignity, illustrating the resilience of the human spirit against systemic cruelty.

## Usage notes

- Primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe a psychological or social state.

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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.