abashing Meaning & Definition
What Does Abashing Mean?
Abashing is used as a verb meaning to destroy the self-possession or self-confidence of (someone).
Word Facts for Abashing
| Part of speech | verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ə-ˈbash/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | confounding, confusing and discomfiting |
| Antonyms | calming, comforting and consoling |
Abashing Definition (Verb)
- to destroy the self-possession or self-confidence of (someone) : disconcert
He had never blushed in his life; no humiliation could abash him.
Synonyms of Abashing
Antonyms of Abashing
Abashing in a Sentence
He had never blushed in his life; no humiliation could abash him.
felt terribly abashed when she walked into the wrong hotel room
Word Forms & Grammar
abashed
abash·ing
abash·es
abash·ment noun
abash
abashes
abashing
abashment
abashments
abashing (comparative more abashing, superlative most abashing)
Origin of Abashing
Middle English abaissen, abaschen "to lose one's composure," borrowed from Anglo-French abaiss-, stem of abair "to open wide, gape, be amazed," alteration (by prefix substitution) of esbaer (Continental Old French esbahir), from es- "out" (going back to Latin ex-) + baer "to open wide, gape," going back to Vulgar Latin *batāre ex-:1, abeyance
First Known Use
14th century
Abashing Pronunciation
The standard pronunciation of abashing is /ə-ˈbash/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (bash).
Common Questions About Abashing
What part of speech is abashing?
Abashing is a verb.
What is another word for abashing?
Close synonyms of abashing are confounding, confusing and discomfiting. See the full list of abashing synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of abashing?
Words opposite in meaning to abashing are calming, comforting, consoling and relieving.