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

“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

There was jubilation after the Poppies humiliated local rivals - League One's Northampton Town - in the first round, beating the Cobblers 2-1 at Sixfields.

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

In turn, Trump has worked to humiliate them by nominating the worst possible people for high-level federal appointments.

From Salon

Related Words

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