abasement
- 01 C2 Proficiency
the act of making someone feel very ashamed or less important, or the feeling of being treated this way.
the act of humbling or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in rank, office, or social estimation.
Simple“He could not bear the public abasement of having to apologize for his mistakes.”
In context“The treaty was seen by the citizens as a total national abasement, stripping the country of its dignity and its most vital territories.”
UsageOften used in the context of self-abasement, referring to the act of humbling oneself excessively.
Teacher's tipThis is a high-register word; in everyday conversation, learners should use 'humiliation' or 'shame' instead.
Synonyms
From Middle English abaissement, from Middle French abaissement (“astonishment”). Equivalent to abase + -ment. Compare French abaissement.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.