Abashing is a term that is not commonly used in everyday conversations, but it is still an important word to know. It is often used to describe situations where someone feels embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of abashing, its origins, and its associations. We will also look at synonyms and antonyms of the word and provide example sentences to help you understand its usage better.
Definitions
Abashing is a verb that means to cause someone to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated. It is often used in situations where someone is caught doing something wrong, or they are in a situation where they feel out of place. Abashing can also refer to causing someone to feel inferior or inadequate.
Origin
The word abash comes from the Middle English word ‘abassen’, which means to confound or perplex. It is believed that the word originated from the Old French word ‘abaissier’, which means to lower or bring down. The word has been in use since the 14th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, abashing means to destroy the self-confidence, poise, or self-possession of someone. The Oxford English Dictionary defines abashing as to cause someone to feel ashamed, embarrassed, or uneasy.
Associations
Abashing is often associated with situations where someone is caught doing something wrong or is in an embarrassing situation. It can also be used to describe situations where someone is made to feel inferior or inadequate.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of abashing include embarrassing, humiliating, shaming, disconcerting, confounding, and perplexing.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of abashing include comforting, reassuring, encouraging, praising, and uplifting.
The same root words
The same root words as abashing include abashment, which means the state of being abashed, and abashed, which means to feel embarrassed or ashamed.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences to help you understand the usage of abashing better:
- The teacher abashed the student by asking a difficult question in front of the class.
- She felt abashed when she realized she had been talking too loudly in the library.
- The politician was abashed when he was caught lying to the public.
- The coach abashed the team by yelling at them for not trying hard enough.
- He was not abashed by the criticism and continued to work hard to improve his skills.
In conclusion, abashing is a word that is often used to describe situations where someone feels embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated. It is important to understand the meaning and usage of this word to communicate effectively. Knowing the synonyms and antonyms of abashing can also help you express yourself better in different situations.