Abjection
Part of speech: noun
Definition: The act of bringing down or humbling. The state of being rejected or cast out. A low or downcast condition; meanness of spirit; abasement; degradation.
Degradation
Part of speech: noun
Definition: The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or society; diminution; as, the degradation of a peer, a knight, a general, or a bishop.The state of being reduced in rank, character, or reputation; baseness; moral, physical, or intellectual degeneracy; disgrace; abasement; debasement.Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or value; degeneration; deterioration.A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and banks, by the action of water, frost etc.A deleterious change in the chemical structure, physical properties or appearance of a material from natural or artificial exposure.The state or condition of a species or group which exhibits degraded forms; degeneration.Arrest of development, or degeneration of any organ, or of the body as a whole.The gradual breakdown of components of a material, as a result of a natural element, i.e.: heat, cold and wind.
Example sentence: The degradation of natural resources such as forests and freshwater has removed much of the resilience that societies formerly enjoyed.