abasements
Acts of degradation
Abasements is the plural of abasement, referring to instances or acts of humiliation, degradation, or being brought low.
The word captures both the process and the resulting state of diminished dignity or status.
It appears most often in literary or formal contexts describing moral or social humiliation: The prisoner endured daily abasements at the hands of the guards.
Unlike simple embarrassments, abasements suggest a deeper loss of standing or self-respect.
Decline in condition
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- disgraceLoss of honor
- indignityHumiliating or degrading treatment
embarrassment · dishonor · ignominy · belittlement · humbling · loss of face · self-deprecation · submission
Utter physical or mental depletion
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- bowingBending forward in deference
- kneelingLowering onto bent legs
- kowtowingSubmissive display of respect
genuflection · obeisance · subservience · deference · capitulation · yielding · surrendering · supplication
Decline in condition
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- fallen stateCorrupted moral condition
- depravityProfound moral corruption
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
compromise · sellout · moral collapse · dishonor · shamefulness · wickedness · baseness
degradation
Decline in condition
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- disgraceLoss of honor
indignity · embarrassment · dishonor · ignominy · belittlement · humbling · loss of face · self-deprecation · submission · lowering
prostration
Utter physical or mental depletion
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- bowingBending forward in deference
- kneelingLowering onto bent legs
kowtowing · genuflection · obeisance · subservience · deference · capitulation · yielding · surrendering · supplication · subjugation
degradation
Decline in condition
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- fallen stateCorrupted moral condition
- depravityProfound moral corruption
degeneration · compromise · sellout · moral collapse · dishonor · shamefulness · wickedness · baseness
abasementselevations
Heights above reference point
exaltations · honors · glorifications · aggrandizements · promotions
abasementsempowerments
Grants of authority
self-elevations · affirmations · validations · vaunts · confidences