humiliate

[ hyoo-mil-ee-eytor, often, yoo- ]

verb (used with object)

, hu·mil·i·at·ed, hu·mil·i·at·ing.

1. to cause (a person) a painful loss of pride, self-respect, or dignity.

   Synonyms: debase, abase, degrade, shame, mortify, disgrace, dishonor

   Antonyms: elevate, exalt, dignify

humiliate

/ hjuːˈmɪlɪˌeɪt; hjuːˈmɪljətɪv /

verb

1. tr to lower or hurt the dignity or pride of

Derived Forms

• huˈmiliˌated, adjective
• humiliative, adjective
• huˌmiliˈation, noun
• huˈmiliˌatingly, adverb
• huˈmiliˌating, adjective
• huˈmiliatory, adjective
• huˈmiliˌator, noun

Other Words From

• hu·mil·i·a·tor noun
• hu·mil·i·a·to·ry [hyoo-, mil, -ee-, uh, -tawr-ee, yoo-], hu·mil·i·a·tive adjective
• re·hu·mil·i·ate verb (used with object) rehumiliated rehumiliating

Word History and Origins

Origin of humiliate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Late Latin humiliātus (past participle of humiliāre “to humble”), equivalent to Latin humili(s) humble + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of humiliate¹

C16: from Late Latin humiliāre, from Latin humilis humble

Synonym Study

See ashamed, humbled.

Example Sentences

Those in the elite are thought to know things about each other that they would rather was not made public, and videos have been used in the past to humiliate and discredit a political opponent.

From BBC

"She said she didn’t like the memes and people are intentionally making memes to humiliate her and disrespect her and they’re even tagging her so she’ll see. They would never treat Ariana this way."

From Salon

His family alleges that the school “was negligent and careless by allowing students to harass, humiliate, and bully the plaintiff with impunity” and is seeking unspecified damages, according the lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times

The whipping-sound phone app was well known among students and became a tool of racial torment used to humiliate and degrade Black students during the 2022-2023 school year, the lawsuit alleges.

From Los Angeles Times

Ruto is yet to comment about the impeachment motion publicly, but he is on record in the early days of his presidency as saying that he would never publicly humiliate his deputy.

From BBC

Related Words

• confuse
• crush
• degrade
• demean
• depress
• disgrace
• humble
• shame
• snub
• subdue