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
The company's unethical practices abased their reputation in the industry. [abase: verb]
humiliate
Example
The bully humiliated the new student in front of the entire class. [humiliated: past tense]
Example
She felt humiliated when her boss publicly criticized her work. [humiliated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Humiliate is more commonly used than abase in everyday language. Humiliate is a stronger and more specific word that is often used in news articles, social media, and everyday conversations. Abase is a less common word that is mostly used in formal writing or literature.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abase and humiliate?
Abase is a more formal word than humiliate. It is often used in academic or literary contexts, while humiliate is used in both formal and informal settings.
