humble

²hum·ble

verb
\ˈhəm-bəl also chiefly Southern ˈəm-\

hum·bledhum·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of HUMBLE

transitive verb

1

: to make (someone) humble (see ¹humble) in spirit or manner

2

: to destroy the power, independence, or prestige of

— hum·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun

— hum·bling·ly \-b(ə-)liŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of HUMBLE

1. Her success has humbled her critics.
2. Last year's champion was humbled by an unknown newcomer.
3. Cuba's reliance on tourism is a somewhat humbling turn for the revolution, which has long prided itself on producing topflight doctors and teachers—not concierges. —Tim Padgett, Time, 22 Dec. 2003
4. … audiences loved to see villains punished and arrogant young men humbled, they did not want to fidget and squirm through mea culpas before the final scene. —Elaine Showalter, Civilization, April/May 1999
5. It frightened and humbled him but also made him feel darkly charmed. —Don DeLillo, Mao II, 1991

Origin of HUMBLE

(see ¹humble)

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to HUMBLE

Synonyms: abase, chasten, cheapen, debase, degrade, demean, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, foul, humiliate, lower, shame, sink, smirch, take down

Antonyms: aggrandize, canonize, deify, elevate, exalt

Related Words: abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle; belittle, castigate, criticize, cry down, decry, depreciate, detract, diminish, discount, disparage, minimize, put down, ridicule, write off; bad-mouth, defame, defile, libel, malign, slander; affront, insult; censure, condemn, damn, denounce, execrate, reprehend, reprobate

Near Antonyms: acclaim, applaud, boast, celebrate, cheer, cite, commend, compliment, congratulate, decorate, eulogize, extol (also extoll), fete (or fête), hail, honor, laud, praise, salute, tout; acknowledge, recognize; highlight, play up, spotlight; dignify, ennoble, enshrine, ensky, enthrone, glorify, magnify; advance, boost, lift, promote, raise, upgrade, uplift; idealize, romanticize

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Rhymes with HUMBLE

bumble, crumble, fumble, grumble, jumble, mumble, rumble, scumble, stumble, tumble, umbel