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self-abasement

American  
[self-uh-beys-muhnt, self-] / ˈsɛlf əˈbeɪs mənt, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

  1. humiliation of oneself, especially as a result of guilt, shame, or the like.


Etymology

Origin of self-abasement

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After all, the look requires doing everything wrong, in a way so thorough that self-abasement seems a big part of the point.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2025

Strong, as we know from his portrayal of Kendall Roy on “Succession,” has a talent for self-abasement.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2024

This is a tale of reverence, and a contemplation of whether that state — with its mingled elements of devotion, self-abasement and love — is possible as a secular exercise.

From New York Times • Aug. 17, 2022

Then again, self-abasement is nothing new for Mr. McCarthy.

From Washington Post • Nov. 12, 2021

There—and note the nice rising tricolon at the very outset— you can see a precise shaping of the speaker’s relationship with the audience, and a fastidious, slightly bogus, self-abasement.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith