Vocabulary Words | Questions | Conversation


abase

Verb

UK: /əˈbeɪs/

US: /əˈbeɪs/


Definition and Examples

▶️ To make someone feel bad about themselves or to lower their self-esteem

Example: The bully tried to abase the other kids by calling them names.

  • Explanation: In this sentence, "abase" means the bully tried to make the other kids feel bad about themselves by calling them names.

Example: She didn’t want to abase her friend by pointing out his mistake in front of everyone.

  • Explanation: Here, "abase" means she didn’t want to make her friend feel embarrassed or bad about himself by pointing out his mistake in front of others.

▶️ To degrade or belittle someone, often in a way that lowers their self-esteem or dignity

Example: He would never abase himself by begging for forgiveness.

  • Explanation: In this sentence, "abase" means he would not lower his dignity by begging for forgiveness.

Example: The manager's harsh criticism abased her in front of her colleagues.

  • Explanation: Here, "abase" means the manager's harsh criticism made her feel humiliated or degraded in front of her colleagues.

Detailed Look at Usage

When describing making someone feel bad about themselves:

☑️Example: The mean comment abased him in front of his classmates.

  • Subject: The mean comment
  • Predicate: abased him in front of his classmates
    • "abased" (verb)
    • "him" (direct object indicating who was abased)
    • "in front of his classmates" (prepositional phrase indicating where it happened)
      • "in front of" (preposition)
      • "his classmates" (noun phrase)

☑️Example: She felt abased when her friends laughed at her mistake.

  • Subject: She
  • Predicate: felt abased when her friends laughed at her mistake
    • "felt abased" (verb phrase)
    • "when her friends laughed at her mistake" (dependent clause indicating the reason)
      • "when" (conjunction)
      • "her friends laughed at her mistake" (clause)
        • "her friends" (subject)
        • "laughed at her mistake" (verb phrase)

☑️Example: The dictator used propaganda to abase his political opponents.

  • Subject: The dictator
  • Predicate: used propaganda to abase his political opponents
    • "used" (verb)
    • "propaganda" (direct object indicating what was used)
    • "to abase his political opponents" (infinitive phrase indicating the purpose)
      • "to abase" (infinitive verb)
      • "his political opponents" (direct object indicating who was abased)

☑️Example: She felt abased by the unfair treatment at work.

  • Subject: She
  • Predicate: felt abased by the unfair treatment at work
    • "felt abased" (verb phrase)
    • "by the unfair treatment at work" (prepositional phrase indicating the cause)
      • "by" (preposition)
      • "the unfair treatment at work" (noun phrase)

When describing someone degrading themselves:

☑️Example: He abased himself by agreeing to their unreasonable demands.

  • Subject: He
  • Predicate: abased himself by agreeing to their unreasonable demands
    • "abased" (verb)
    • "himself" (direct object indicating who was abased)
    • "by agreeing to their unreasonable demands" (prepositional phrase indicating the reason)
      • "by" (preposition)
      • "agreeing to their unreasonable demands" (gerund phrase)

☑️Example: She refused to abase herself in order to gain favor.

  • Subject: She
  • Predicate: refused to abase herself in order to gain favor
    • "refused" (verb)
    • "to abase herself" (infinitive phrase indicating what was refused)
      • "to abase" (infinitive verb)
      • "herself" (direct object)
    • "in order to gain favor" (infinitive phrase indicating the purpose)
      • "in order to" (infinitive marker)
      • "gain favor" (verb phrase)

Synonyms & Similar Words

Humiliate Degrade Belittle Lower Shame Demean

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Praise Honor Elevate Uplift Encourage Respect