humiliating

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

adjective

1. lowering the pride, self-respect, or dignity of a person; mortifying:

   Such a humiliating defeat was good for his overblown ego.

Other Words From

• hu·mili·ating·ly adverb
• self-hu·mili·ating adjective
• unhu·mili·ating adjective
• unhu·mili·ating·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of humiliating¹

First recorded in 1750–60; humiliat(e) + -ing ²

Example Sentences

“It’s humiliating for the government because we are normally seen as punching above our weight in all of the great things in life.”

From BBC

"He was slow... he would be the last to be picked and I think that must have been very humiliating for him," he told the makers of Hunting Mr Nice.

From BBC

For the law and politics graduate, who served his country and led a dignified, comfortable life until August 2021 when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, it is a humiliating situation to be in.

From BBC

Amelia Walker, representing the man’s family in court, said the restraints imposed on him were "inevitably humiliating and degrading, as well as dangerous".

From BBC

Denver should bounce back after a humiliating thrashing by Baltimore, but will it be enough?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• demeaning
• embarrassing
• humbling