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
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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
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The company attributed that to a decrease in full-price wholesale and lower e-commerce sales.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The sheriff’s office said it was tipped off that Hendon was selling new appliances via social media for unusually low prices.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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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Drebin doesn’t realize the car is still plugged in and drives off, leading to abject chaos as a prison wall crumbles down and criminals flee.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
1 Aug. 2025
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This contract year has been an abject nightmare for him.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
28 July 2025
Verb
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During the two-month trial, Combs’ defense attorneys focused much of their efforts on questioning – and attempting to discredit – witnesses brought forth by the prosecution.—
Elizabeth Wagmeister,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
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Activists have worked steadily to discredit stories about famine.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humble. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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