What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abasement
Example
The public abasement of the politician was a humiliating experience. [abasement: noun]
Example
He abased himself before the king, begging for mercy. [abased: verb]
humiliation
Example
She felt a deep sense of humiliation after being fired in front of her colleagues. [humiliation: noun]
Example
He was humiliated by his peers for his poor performance. [humiliated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Humiliation is more commonly used than abasement in everyday language. Humiliation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abasement is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abasement and humiliation?
Abasement is typically associated with a more formal tone, while humiliation is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.