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
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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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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of humble
Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 11 June 2025
The split unwinds the 2022 merger of CNN and HBO owner WarnerMedia with Discovery, a jumble of cable channels offering humbler fare.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 June 2025
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2025
Nestled just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Oakmont’s reputation precedes it—steeped in history, unapologetically difficult, and purpose-built to humble even the best in the game.
—Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for humble
Adjective
From about $1,024 Lighting: Chia-Ying Lee for Lodes Random Stick
Imagined by Taiwanese designer Chia-Ying Lee for Lodes, the Random Stick is an elegant interpretation of the humble suspension lamp.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 11 June 2025
The split unwinds the 2022 merger of CNN and HBO owner WarnerMedia with Discovery, a jumble of cable channels offering humbler fare.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 June 2025
Verb
The Darjeeling Limited underscores the folly of these men riding the rails with mountains of literal and metaphorical baggage in tow, and how the country humbles them before any healing can begin.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2025
Nestled just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Oakmont’s reputation precedes it—steeped in history, unapologetically difficult, and purpose-built to humble even the best in the game.
—Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for humble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humble
Noun
-
This natural degradation in data characteristics means an AI that once performed well might start making errors as its environment evolves.—
Ronen Cojocaru,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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Despite the degradation of its military capabilities, Iran can leverage proxies, criminal organizations abroad, and cyberattacks to hit Israeli, and possibly U.S., targets.—
Nakissa Jahanbani,
The Conversation,
20 June 2025
Noun
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This more comprehensive rating offers the same water resistance, but now adds protection from dust and other small particles.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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Then, at the end of each day, Bridges returns to his private quarters, relieves himself, and showers the dust and blood from his body.—
Simon Parkin,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humble. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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