as in humiliated
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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Recent Examples of humbled
Be humbled by this moment and realize there’s truth in it.
—
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
We are humbled and inspired by your willingness to stand in solidarity with us.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Petzold had arrived arrogant and entitled; confronted by the technical ability and imagination of his peers, he was humbled, then stultified.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
One of the revelations of this war is just how many people outside Dubai are delighting in the thought that the city-state might be humbled.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
The brothers said they’re humbled that The Golden Rose was chosen for the honor.
—Monica Garske, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
Virginia got humbled at Duke, 77-51.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
On a purely diplomatic level, China has been humbled.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
His leading role in Friday’s win was a welcome one after Wolves had humbled Arne Slot's team 2-1 in the Premier League three days ago.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
We are humbled and inspired by your willingness to stand in solidarity with us.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Petzold had arrived arrogant and entitled; confronted by the technical ability and imagination of his peers, he was humbled, then stultified.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
One of the revelations of this war is just how many people outside Dubai are delighting in the thought that the city-state might be humbled.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
The brothers said they’re humbled that The Golden Rose was chosen for the honor.
—Monica Garske, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
Virginia got humbled at Duke, 77-51.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
On a purely diplomatic level, China has been humbled.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
His leading role in Friday’s win was a welcome one after Wolves had humbled Arne Slot's team 2-1 in the Premier League three days ago.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbled
Verb
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At one point in his teenage years, Diaz was publicly humiliated by the football team who forcefully shaved his curly hair.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Walz and Ellison were humiliated and could not account for their blundering.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Still, the author's main argument wasn't totally discredited.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The traditional security hawks would be discredited, and the populist anti-interventionists vindicated.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Former head coach Brian Daboll’s charge to the medical tent and behavior towards one of the Giants’ doctors also embarrassed the team.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
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Tonight’s ceremony had none of the major dramatic mishaps that have both embarrassed the Academy Awards’ organizers and affirmed the event’s status as must-see live TV.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Humbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbled. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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