abasing
/əˈbeɪsɪŋ/
VERB
1. Lowering someone's dignity or status
Causing someone to lose dignity, honor, or social standing by treating them as inferior or making them appear less worthy.
1.1. Humiliation and degradation
Used when an action, remark, or treatment humiliates someone or makes them feel inferior and less respected.
Synonyms
- humiliating
- degrading
- demeaning
- mortifying
- belittling
- debasing
Antonyms
- honoring
- exalting
- ennobling
- dignifying
- esteeming
Examples
- The manager's abasing remarks undermined the employee's confidence.
- He regarded the public reprimand as an abasing experience.
- Abasing others to demonstrate authority can damage workplace relationships.
Related Words
- humiliation
- degradation
- indignity
- shame
- disgrace
1.2. Reducing someone's importance or standing
Used when someone or something is made to seem less important, valuable, powerful, or worthy of respect.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- The policy was criticized for abasing the role of experienced staff.
- His speech was seen as abasing the contributions of the opposing team.
- A leader should correct mistakes without abasing the people involved.
Related Words
- status
- prestige
- rank
- reputation
- inferiority
1.3. Making oneself humble or submissive
Used when a person lowers their own pride, dignity, or position, sometimes by accepting treatment that appears humiliating or submissive.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- asserting
- asserting oneself
- elevating
- exalting
- empowering
Examples
- He refused to continue abasing himself to gain the approval of others.
- She felt that constantly apologizing for reasonable decisions was abasing.
- The experience taught him the difference between humility and abasing oneself.
Related Words
- humility
- submission
- self-respect
- pride
- subordination