humiliation

[ hyoo-mil-ee-ey-shuhnor, often, yoo- ]

noun

1. an act or instance of humiliating humiliating or being humiliated.
2. the state or feeling of being humiliated; mortification.

   Synonyms: dishonor, degradation

Other Words From

• rehu·mili·ation noun
• self-hu·mili·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of humiliation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin humiliātiōn- (stem of humiliātiō ). See humiliate, -ion

Synonym Study

See shame.

Example Sentences

Any intimacy required vulnerability, and vulnerability inevitably led back to humiliation.

From Vox

The pandemic, police say, has exacerbated the practice — and the devastating humiliation that it can carry.

From Washington Post

A national humiliation has been recast as an interesting piece of trivia, largely because the United States need no longer fear invasion by a foreign foe.

From Washington Post

The Steelers packed a startling barrage of humiliation into the first quarter, a mixture of slapstick disaster and physical inadequacy.

From Washington Post

LGBTQ Americans deserve the health care that they need without fear of mistreatment, harassment, or humiliation.

From Washington Blade

In a romantic relationship, facing humiliation or awkwardness is a strong possibility.

From The Daily Beast

Nude prisoners were kept in a central area, and walked around as a form of humiliation.

From The Daily Beast

The phrase somehow transforms humiliation into an act of personal liberation.

From The Daily Beast

And she prefers living with other women who understand the humiliation she went through.

From The Daily Beast

The humiliation of the Hill-Thomas hearings was still too fresh for them.

From The Daily Beast

Prud'hon, in humiliation and despair, lived in a solitude almost complete.

From Project Gutenberg

She had not advanced as rapidly as she had hoped to do, and it would be insupportable humiliation to return.

From Project Gutenberg

And what humiliation to know that in your youth you are really wooed for the sake of the race alone, no matter what the delusions.

From Project Gutenberg

The royal family, imprisoned in the Tuileries, were each day drinking of the cup of humiliation to its lowest dregs.

From Project Gutenberg

Anger and humiliation extinguish my momentary impulse to rush to her assistance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• confusion
• degradation
• disgrace
• ignominy
• indignity
• shame