1
as in meek
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness
a medical scientist who remained remarkably humble even after winning the Nobel Prize even though she'd been proven wrong, her attitude was still far from humble
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
a humble peasant girl who claimed she was chosen by God to restore the French king to his throne
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3
as in servile
showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness
please accept my humble thanks for this unexpected favor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
Philip was utterly humbled by a crushing defeat in the first round of the state chess tournament
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of humble
Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Illness devastates the novel’s humble, endearing protagonist, who bravely crosses class boundaries in her enthralling search for peace.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025
There's something uniquely humbling about pounding the pavement for over 26 miles.
—Henry Fan, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humble
Adjective
The story of Lyricist Lounge is one of humble beginnings that grew into global brand recognition, one absorbed by a niche yet far-reaching audience that continues to expand as the eras go by.
—Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Illness devastates the novel’s humble, endearing protagonist, who bravely crosses class boundaries in her enthralling search for peace.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
Especially in the wake of the humbling 40-22 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX that dashed the quest to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.
—Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025
There's something uniquely humbling about pounding the pavement for over 26 miles.
—Henry Fan, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humble
Adjective
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Subsequently, Pakistan also bargained down the new American tariffs on its goods from 29% to 19% — relatively meek next to India’s rate.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
14 Aug. 2025
-
That 19% share is meek compared with where U.S. investors are most intensely busy – in states with small populations and tourism hooks.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Steeper declines were also seen in people with lower incomes, less education, and those living in nonmetropolitan areas.1 Women and individuals with higher education levels were the most likely to read for pleasure—but their habits are shifting.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
His servile defense secretary has threatened to deploy the military in other cities.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2025
-
Bahrain is ruled by Sunnis and has a mostly Shiite population permanently restless over its servile condition.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Luthor’s ultimate defeat is an unmasking that humiliates him by confirming his own worst fears about himself.—
Matt Zoller Seitz,
Vulture,
16 July 2025
-
Coach Ruben Amorim publicly humiliated him before a loan move to Aston Villa for the final half of the campaign.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
Disney’s initial press information on the Elio 4K Blu-ray suggests that the film is going to appear on a high-capacity 100GB disc, despite its modest 98-minute run time.—
John Archer,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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The related people would be vetted, and the employer would pay a modest daily tariff (e.g., $25) for the right to employ them.—
Boston Herald,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The New York Mets lost to the lowly Atlanta Braves on Wednesday as their grip on a top playoff spot slips away.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
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The corporation dispatches his unit, along with its new hybrids, and Alien: Earth kicks into motion: a scramble between Prodigy and Weyland-Yutani to secure the specimens, with lowly humans and test subjects caught in the crossfire.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Weapons plays along the same lines in this sub-genre’s sandbox, too, denying easy catharsis after wracking viewers’ nerves with its combination of pitch-black humor, abject grief, and superbly conducted jump scares.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
9 Aug. 2025
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There can be no cure for this abject failure without a full, head-on attack on the medical establishment and a renewal of ethical priorities.—
David Marks,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But the Newsom administration has tried to discredit that estimate since the independent auditor published the report last week.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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Right-wing Channel 14 has devoted coverage in recent weeks to discrediting some reports of starving children.—
Emily Rose,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humble. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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