self-abasing
Degrading one's worth
Self-abasing describes behavior that degrades or humbles oneself excessively, often to an unhealthy degree.
Someone self-abasing might constantly apologize, minimize their achievements, or accept mistreatment they don't deserve: His self-abasing manner made everyone uncomfortable.
The word suggests submission that goes beyond modesty into something psychologically harmful or performative.
Humbly unassertive
- humbleUnassuming about oneself
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
- deferentialShowing humble submission
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
lowly · modest · unassuming · reverent · pious · devout · bowing · kneeling
Remorseful state over misdeeds
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- mea culpaAcknowledgment of personal blame
confession · penance · compunction · ruefulness · contrite · penitent · apologetic · regretful
Servilely attentive to superiors
- servileExcessively submissive, lacking independence
- subservientExcessively eager to obey
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
sycophantic · toadying · bootlicking · kowtowing · cringing · cowering · slavish · submissive
Of lower rank
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
- unworthyNot meriting something
- worthlessLacking any value
- insignificantLacking importance or consequence
undeserving · beneath contempt · lowly · pathetic · wretched · miserable · downtrodden · diminished
Intense shame or embarrassment
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- disgraceLoss of honor
- dishonorLoss of respect
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
degradation · abject · wretched · stigmatized · disgraced · shamed · chastened · crestfallen
meek
Humbly unassertive
- humbleUnassuming about oneself
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
- deferentialShowing humble submission
unpretentious · lowly · modest · unassuming · reverent · pious · devout · bowing · kneeling · prostrating
contrition
Remorseful state over misdeeds
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
mea culpa · confession · penance · compunction · ruefulness · contrite · penitent · apologetic · regretful · atoning
obsequious
Servilely attentive to superiors
- servileExcessively submissive, lacking independence
- subservientExcessively eager to obey
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
fawning · sycophantic · toadying · bootlicking · kowtowing · cringing · cowering · slavish · submissive · docile
inferior
Of lower rank
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
- unworthyNot meriting something
- worthlessLacking any value
insignificant · undeserving · beneath contempt · lowly · pathetic · wretched · miserable · downtrodden · diminished · devalued
mortification
Intense shame or embarrassment
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- disgraceLoss of honor
- dishonorLoss of respect
embarrassment · degradation · abject · wretched · stigmatized · disgraced · shamed · chastened · crestfallen · hangdog
putting oneself down
self-abasingself-respecting
Having personal dignity
proud · self-aggrandizing · dignified · self-assured · self-confident
self-abasingassertive
Confidently self-assured
confident · bold · forthright · assured · commanding
self-abasingarrogant
Excessively high self-regard
self-aggrandizing · haughty · conceited · vain · egotistical
self, abase, abased, abases, abasing, abasement, selves, selfish, selfless