Definition of humblenext
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
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

humble

2 of 5

verb (1)

humbling

3 of 5

adjective (2)

humbling

4 of 5

noun

humbling

5 of 5

verb (2)

present participle of humble

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of humble
Adjective
Social media is basically unscripted and its rise has backstopped the once humble entertainment genre and is helping propel it. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026 From its humble origins using just a few simple ingredients, pizza has become the ultimate blank canvas inviting endless culinary creativity. Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
The road is a mix of tight switchbacks, sudden grades and blind curves that can humble lesser vehicles. Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026 The response from our guests has been incredibly humbling. Olivia Young, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
There is a strange and humbling symmetry in that. Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026 Goodbye Amazon Go Amazon is abandoning its homegrown physical grocery stores, known as Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh, a humbling end to an effort that began almost ten years ago as the online giant sought to expand its retail dominance into the brick-and-mortar world. Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
The response from our guests has been incredibly humbling. Olivia Young, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026 However, as if to offer humbling evidence of the fickle nature of pop stardom, the Elvis Presley movie actually earned less last weekend than another concert documentary, featuring an act that has sold millions of albums but is hardly a household name. John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for humble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humble
Noun
  • The arrest was not just a legal shock but a profound personal humiliation.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 14 Mar. 2026
  • To further my humiliation, my smartphone-addled brain included the incorrect frequency and URL.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Your historical victory is your reward for your historical abasement.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • If Wyatt and Surrey could pen brilliant sonnets under Tudor tyranny, then certainly great art can be produced under capitalism despite its particular degradations.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Major degradation to their ability to produce the ballistic missiles that have been striking so many of their Gulf neighbors, Israel and elsewhere.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Stars have left the Mammoth in their dust with their recent streak, now a full 20 points ahead of Utah in the standings.
    SportsDay Staff, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • The states that fall for the tax-the-rich mania will be left in the dust, with failing economies and shrinking political clout in Congress.
    Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Investors who are particularly concerned about currency debasement or geopolitical instability — both of which have driven gold's price run in recent years — may also find the physical gold component meaningful.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Over and over, Colin takes stock of his own debasement.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Humble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humble. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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