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
New Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa got off to the worst possible start as the La Liga giants were humbled 3-2 at second division Albacete in the Copa del Rey last 16.
—
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
But against a Philadelphia Eagles team that humbled the Rams earlier in the season, the defense gave up too many explosives and the offense couldn’t convert a fourth down in the red zone with 26 seconds to play in a six-point loss.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Both left office humbled, burdened with lousy poll numbers and facing a well of deep voter discontent.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Both left office humbled, burdened with lousy poll numbers and facing a well of deep voter discontent.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
With a defense that shut down Texas A&M in the CFP’s first round and has now humbled mighty Ohio State, the idea of a long-elusive sixth national championship is now within sight, within reach.
—Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
We are humbled by your ongoing support.
—Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
Vialah's mom, Shealynn Starc, says she was humbled by the community support.
—Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
Isaacman said he’s been humbled by the wave of public support since his name first surfaced.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
But against a Philadelphia Eagles team that humbled the Rams earlier in the season, the defense gave up too many explosives and the offense couldn’t convert a fourth down in the red zone with 26 seconds to play in a six-point loss.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Both left office humbled, burdened with lousy poll numbers and facing a well of deep voter discontent.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Both left office humbled, burdened with lousy poll numbers and facing a well of deep voter discontent.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
With a defense that shut down Texas A&M in the CFP’s first round and has now humbled mighty Ohio State, the idea of a long-elusive sixth national championship is now within sight, within reach.
—Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
We are humbled by your ongoing support.
—Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
Vialah's mom, Shealynn Starc, says she was humbled by the community support.
—Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
Isaacman said he’s been humbled by the wave of public support since his name first surfaced.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbled
Verb
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They’ll be driven out of certain platforms; they’ll be made to feel unwelcome; they’ll be shamed in lots of ways, and humiliated.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
16 Jan. 2026
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Story just watched in person as his team beat Ohio State for the Big Ten title, destroyed Alabama in the Rose Bowl and humiliated Oregon in the Peach Bowl.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Blamed and discredited, the legendary warriors disband and go into hiding.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
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The admission of the Afrikaners was based on claims, which have been discredited, that white South African farmers were being killed in large numbers.—
Julia Ainsley,
NBC news,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
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During our first visit, Maryam, embarrassed by her English, refused to ask the salesperson a question.—
Jennifer Obel,
Denver Post,
12 Jan. 2026
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We’re all supposed to be embarrassed by prizes or feel above them or apart from them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Humbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbled. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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