mortify

[ mawr-tuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, mor·ti·fied, mor·ti·fy·ing.

1. to humiliate or shame, as by injury to one's pride or self-respect.

   Synonyms: abase, humble

2. to subjugate (the body, passions, etc.) by abstinence, ascetic discipline, or self-inflicted suffering.

   Synonyms: restrain, subdue

3. Pathology. to affect with gangrene or necrosis.

verb (used without object)

, mor·ti·fied, mor·ti·fy·ing.

1. to practice mortification or disciplinary austerities.
2. Pathology. to undergo mortification; become gangrened or necrosed.

mortify

/ ˈmɔːtɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. tr to humiliate or cause to feel shame
2. tr Christianity to subdue and bring under control by self-denial, disciplinary exercises, etc
3. intr to undergo tissue death or become gangrenous

Derived Forms

• ˈmortiˌfying, adjective
• ˈmortiˌfier, noun
• ˈmortiˌfyingly, adverb

Other Words From

• mor·ti·fi·er noun
• mor·ti·fy·ing·ly adverb
• pre·mor·ti·fy verb (used with object) premortified premortifying

Word History and Origins

Origin of mortify¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English mortifien, from Middle French mortifier, from Late Latin mortificāre “to put to death,” equivalent to Latin morti- (stem of mors ) “death” + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of mortify¹

C14: via Old French from Church Latin mortificāre to put to death, from Latin mors death + facere to do

Synonym Study

See ashamed.

Example Sentences

Fallon: Christopher Meloni is perfectly cast as a father who lives to mortify his teenage kids.

From The Daily Beast

His low cunning invents numerous occasions to mortify and harass me.

From Project Gutenberg

In one case, indeed, I think he went too far in this compliance, and the result was to mortify her not a little.

From Project Gutenberg

She goes on to describe her subsequent attempts to mortify the flesh by means of fasting.

From Project Gutenberg

He wished to mortify me, and please his favorite; but had no desire to dismiss me his service.

From Project Gutenberg

Party writers assert that he was brought here in preference to any other spot, in order to mortify the citizens with the sight.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annoy
• chagrin
• confound
• deflate
• disgrace
• displease
• embarrass
• humiliate
• subdue
• vex