mortifying

adjective

mor·​ti·​fy·​ing ˈmȯr-tə-ˌfī-iŋ How to pronounce mortifying (audio)
: causing feelings of strong shame or embarrassment
a mortifying experience
They would tell each other secrets that no one else would hear, they would discuss sex in a way that would be mortifying in other company.Richard Flaste
mortifyingly adverb
The document deluge has offered plenty of mortifyingly frank appraisals of foreign leaders … Hendrik Hertzberg

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mortifying was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near mortifying

Cite this Entry

“Mortifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortifying. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

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