abased
C2Formal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
To cause someone to feel less respected or to lower in rank, dignity, or quality.
To humble or degrade someone; to lower physically or morally; to reduce in value or estimation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The adjective 'abased' is far less common than the verb 'abase'. It typically describes the resulting state after the verb action. It often carries a moral or social connotation of humiliation or reduction in standing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Equally formal/literary in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both, though possibly slightly more common in UK literary contexts due to historical/archaic usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to be abased by [agent/noun phrase]to feel abasedto stand abased beforeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “abased in one's own eyes”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in high-level, figurative language about corporate ethics or leadership failures (e.g., 'The CEO's scandal left him publicly abased.').
Academic
Found in historical, literary, religious, or philosophical texts discussing power, morality, and social hierarchy.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The tyrant sought to abase his rivals before the court.
- He refused to abase himself by begging for the promotion.
American English
- The scandal abased the entire department.
- She would not abase herself by accepting the unfair terms.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- After losing the argument, he felt somewhat abased.
- The servant stood with an abased posture before the king.
- The once-proud general now appeared abased and broken by his captivity.
- Her spirit was not abased by poverty; she maintained her dignity throughout.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BASE being lowered. 'A-base-d' = moved to a lower base or foundation of respect.
Conceptual Metaphor
STATUS IS HEIGHT / MORALITY IS PURITY. To be abased is to be lowered in vertical status or to have one's moral purity degraded.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'based' (основанный).
- The adjective 'abased' (униженный, приниженный) is distinct from the verb 'to abase' (унижать).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'abased' to mean 'based on' (a confusion with 'based').
- Using it in informal contexts where 'embarrassed' or 'ashamed' would be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'abased' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal and literary word (C2 level). It is rarely used in everyday spoken or written English.
Yes, though less common than the verb form. It functions as a past participle adjective (e.g., 'an abased look').
'Abased' implies a more profound loss of dignity, respect, or moral standing, often with a formal or archaic tone. 'Embarrassed' is a much more common, general term for mild social discomfort.
Yes, 'abasement' is the noun meaning the action or state of being abased.
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