What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abase
Example
He abased himself before the king, begging for mercy. [abased: past tense]
Example
She felt abased by her failure to meet the expectations of her parents. [abased: adjective]
belittle
Example
He belittled her achievements, saying they were not impressive enough. [belittled: past tense]
Example
She felt belittled by his constant criticism and negative comments. [belittled: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Belittle is more commonly used than abase in everyday language, especially in informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abase and belittle?
Both abase and belittle are considered formal words, but abase can also be used in religious or historical contexts.
