Synonyms of humbling

humbling 1 of 3

adjective

as in humiliating

Related Words

• humiliating
• demeaning
• degrading
• mortifying
• unsettling
• difficult
• impossible
• unpleasant
• debasing
• confusing
• embarrassing
• troublesome
• intolerable
• inconvenient
• disagreeable
• unwieldy
• disconcerting
• uncomfortable
• disturbing
• discomfiting
• awkward
• flustering

Dissimilar Words

• convenient
• comfortable
• agreeable
• pleasing

humbling

2 of 3

noun

as in humiliation

Related Words

• humiliation
• abasement
• degradation
• dust
• debasing
• debasement
• disapproval
• contempt
• disapprobation
• blot
• disdain
• stigma
• despite
• stain
• deprecation
• taint
• scorn
• slur
• brand
• disfavor
• scandal
• spot
• shame
• ignominy
• disgrace
• smirch
• discredit
• shadow
• dishonor
• infamy
• disrepute
• reproach
• opprobrium
• odium
• obloquy
• disesteem

Dissimilar Words

• respect
• honor
• esteem
• appreciation
• regard
• admiration
• estimation
• fear
• awe
• glory
• reverence
• fame
• renown
• repute

humbling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of humble

as in discrediting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humiliating
• discrediting
• embarrassing
• degrading
• confusing
• shaming
• chastening
• demeaning
• insulting
• disgracing
• debasing
• abasing
• rattling
• dishonoring
• taking down
• mortifying
• cheapening
• disconcerting
• lowering
• fouling
• criticizing
• discomfiting
• diminishing
• disparaging
• belittling
• sinking
• confounding
• ridiculing
• smirching
• minimizing
• detracting
• discounting
• depreciating
• flustering
• damning
• affronting
• decrying
• condemning
• castigating
• slandering
• maligning
• writing off
• nonplussing
• abashing
• fazing
• defaming
• defiling
• libeling
• crying down
• putting down
• discountenancing
• denouncing
• censuring
• bad-mouthing
• execrating
• reprehending
• reprobating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exalting
• elevating
• cheering
• praising
• recognizing
• honoring
• commending
• aggrandizing
• applauding
• acknowledging
• citing
• celebrating
• congratulating
• deifying
• boasting
• lauding
• complimenting
• extolling
• hailing
• saluting
• decorating
• acclaiming
• canonizing
• eulogizing
• touting
• highlighting
• uplifting
• ennobling
• dignifying
• lifting
• spotlighting
• promoting
• glorifying
• magnifying
• advancing
• feting
• playing up
• raising
• enthroning
• enshrining
• upgrading
• boosting
• idealizing
• romanticizing
• enskying

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of humbling

Adjective

Being on an island starving is very humbling. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026

Those listeners are the ones who are our backbone, which is very humbling. — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025

This sub is routinely very humbling. — Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025

Noun

But there have also been some humbling outings along the way. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Both those previous hammerings came out of the blue, just as Wrexham’s humbling in front of the live TV cameras happened off the back of conceding just one goal in their first three Championship away games this season. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

But the role of the group chat is, just as often, to subject one another to a loving humbling. — Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026

That experience of not only working with others who are different from you, but also working in service to something larger than yourself – that has a humbling and leveling effect. — Emily Staunton, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026

So having all these human, humbling, awkward things were really fun to explore. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026

Another humbling moment occurred when Larsson kicked off the Today show’s Summer Concert Series, performing her songs with a missing high heel. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026

The former quarterback said the procedures were eye-opening and humbling. — David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

The same humbling lesson is now being learned by scientists in the field of biology. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 17 July 2026

Verb

But the research on what actually happens during those two minutes is humbling. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026

Some day, the Hornets may collectively look back on this occasion as part of the humbling growing pains of stepping up in classification in a sport that allows no grace period for transition. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026

After a humbling 27-7 loss in Australia to the 49ers, the Rams look to get back on track with a win over the New York Giants on Monday night at SoFi Stadium. — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Schottenheimer has been a part of humbling experiences in the NFL similarly to Parker’s experience in his first game as a defensive play-caller. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2026

To have the opportunity to make my directorial debut here in California, surrounded by an extraordinary cast and crew, is both incredibly emotional and deeply humbling. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

To be recognized in his name is simultaneously humbling and a responsibility. — Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Aug. 2026

Again, that's what makes this slash to the guide so confusing and humbling. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

So far, the process of sourcing a new Italy coach has been humbling. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 July 2026