as in humiliating
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as in humiliation
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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
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Recent Examples of humbling
Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
This sub is routinely very humbling.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Season 3 was at once a humbling and harrowing journey for Mark.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The response has been amazing, overwhelming and humbling.
—Brad Quick, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
What's your last humbling and or hilarious moment outside?
—Outside Online, 7 Jan. 2026
In fact, every team to win the Cup has struggled immediately out of the gate, perhaps in large part due to the emotional high of winning a largely meaningless title, only to return to the humbling reality that the games are still coming 100 miles an hour.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
Reading him this season can be a humbling reminder of our finitude.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025
So, all of this response has left me in a very humbling position.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2025
Despite the humbling rejection, the mom of two could see the funny side.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2026
England’s Test team are still licking their wounds after their humbling Down Under.
—Sam Dalling, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
From starting the volunteer day nine years ago and having multiple people reach out was humbling for Steinmetz.
—Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Hafley said Wednesday that having his name being mentioned as a head coaching candidate is flattering and humbling.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
My own experiences cross country skiing have been humbling, maybe even humiliating.
—Outside Online, 7 Jan. 2026
This semester has been humbling, though.
—The Editors, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
Or maybe the latest trade war was unexpectedly humbling for America – shifting how the White House views Beijing.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
Miami has lost two of its last three outings, including a humbling 26-20 defeat in overtime to SMU in Week 10.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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
Thursday’s humbling result should give the entire roster a reason to play a more complete game on Saturday against the Washington Capitals.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Season 3 was at once a humbling and harrowing journey for Mark.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The response has been amazing, overwhelming and humbling.
—Brad Quick, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
What's your last humbling and or hilarious moment outside?
—Outside Online, 7 Jan. 2026
In fact, every team to win the Cup has struggled immediately out of the gate, perhaps in large part due to the emotional high of winning a largely meaningless title, only to return to the humbling reality that the games are still coming 100 miles an hour.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
Reading him this season can be a humbling reminder of our finitude.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025
So, all of this response has left me in a very humbling position.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2025
Despite the humbling rejection, the mom of two could see the funny side.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Verb
Known as a fiery driver for much of his career, learning of his induction was humbling.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2026
England’s Test team are still licking their wounds after their humbling Down Under.
—Sam Dalling, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
From starting the volunteer day nine years ago and having multiple people reach out was humbling for Steinmetz.
—Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Hafley said Wednesday that having his name being mentioned as a head coaching candidate is flattering and humbling.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
My own experiences cross country skiing have been humbling, maybe even humiliating.
—Outside Online, 7 Jan. 2026
This semester has been humbling, though.
—The Editors, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
Or maybe the latest trade war was unexpectedly humbling for America – shifting how the White House views Beijing.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
Miami has lost two of its last three outings, including a humbling 26-20 defeat in overtime to SMU in Week 10.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbling
Adjective
-
His encounters with the opposite sex are notably humiliating, like scenes from a teen comedy.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Voter turnout has plummeted to humiliating lows, and the regime’s pretense to popular mandate has withered.—
Ali Vaez,
Time,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As wonderful as Wilde is in what’s easily one of her best roles, the equally fearless Hoffman matches her every step of the way, with sly comic timing and poignant vulnerability as Elliot wrestles with anger, humiliation and confusion over what could be lust or love, in spite of everything.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Evidence showed victims were compelled to engage in prostitution by means of force and acts of humiliation, according to the statement.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Supporters of Pahlavi were particularly vocal in Mashhad this month, as attested by the prevalence of pro-monarchy graffiti on city walls, and the regime’s propaganda devoted particular attention to discrediting the former crown prince.—
Davood Moradian,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Elordi and Giannulli appeared to be going strong over the next two years, with sources discrediting breakup speculation to PEOPLE in January 2024 and as the two vacationed together in Italy the following September.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Other Natives found the video demeaning when it was circulated.—
Ian Frazier,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
-
That demeaning statement has proven both accurate and inaccurate, depending on the president’s relationship with the vice president, their skill set, experience, and political ambition.—
Myra Adams,
Washington Post,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Your historical victory is your reward for your historical abasement.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Recently, Ryan spoke about the Beckham situation, the process of writing material as a mother without embarrassing her kids and her new goal of returning to the career trajectory of her pre-pregnant self in the near future.—
Deputy Entertainment,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Some mushroom bills backfired when their true impacts became known, embarrassing legislators who voted for them, and forcing them to backtrack.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
For coastal communities, the result can crash fish stocks, threatening jobs in fishing and processing and degrading marine ecosystems, which makes coastal areas less attractive for tourism and recreation.—
Hossain Ahmed Taufiq,
The Conversation,
15 Jan. 2026
-
As advertised, Episode 1 was wildly degrading for contestants and weirdly nostalgic for viewers.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The cold can also freeze liquids, crack containers and prompt chemical degradation.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Grave of the Fireflies is about the horrors and degradations of war.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Humbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbling. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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