mortifying

1 of 2

adjective

mor·​ti·​fy·​ing ˈmȯr-tə-ˌfī-iŋ 

: 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

mortifying

2 of 2

present participle of mortify

Examples of mortifying in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But off the air, Brattin, Conn, and their network continued to laugh about the mortifying moment. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Aug. 2026

Harrop’s column is among a number of media clippings Fauci preserved in his diary, a surreally mortifying document released to the public last week by Senator Rand Paul. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2026

With his speech, Oliver joins a growing trend of professionals whose AI use is revealed in mortifying ways. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026

Self-mortifying pamagdarame rituals, including whipping and crucifixion, likewise have roots in medieval Christian tradition. — H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mortifying

• applying
• belying
• complying
• decrying
• defying
• denying
• implying
• outlying
• relying
• replying
• supplying
• undying