abased

[ uh-beyst ]

adjective

1. reduced or lowered, as in status, office, dignity, or estimation; humbled; degraded:

   In the hearings, the abased director of the Children’s Fund finally admitted his errors and meekly promised reforms.

2. Heraldry. (of a charge) lower on an escutcheon than is usual:

   a bend abased.

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. Usually the abased. people who have been humbled by misfortune, persecution, etc.:

   We entrust to God’s mercy the wretched, the desperate, and the abased.

Other Words From

• un·a·based adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abased¹

First recorded in 1645–55; abase + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Much of the classical music industry has since abased itself at Mäkelä’s feet.

From New York Times

So evangelical leaders, along with others who have abased themselves before Trump in fear of their cultural enemies, stand condemned by the very value systems they proclaim.

From Salon

"When he fixed the impeachment trial by blocking evidence of Trump's high crimes and misdemeanors, McConnell violated and abased the solemn oaths he took as a United States senator," Conway said.

From Salon

He abased himself — not something he would have endured willingly — by staying on in a Cabinet of crooks, dolts and sycophants who form the biggest swamp in Washington in my 50-plus professional years here.

From Washington Post

I hadn’t abased myself, on my knees, scrubbing toilets at the level and in constant sight of my drill instructor’s crotch just to join a club.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• boorish
• depraved
• evil
• nefarious
• rotten