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 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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as in humiliating
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as in humiliation
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of humbling
Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Webb Wright, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2025
The first risk is asking friends and family to believe in you and cut a check, which can be a humbling and sometimes unkind process.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2025
From humble beginnings in Nigeria to a boyhood move to Ontario, Oluwaseyi will be able to share how he was drafted 17th overall in the 2022 MLS draft but missed most of his rookie season with the Loons because of issues with his knee, as well as a few hamstring strains.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Aug. 2025
Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Miami’s roster is the most expensive and high-profile in the league, and though the team was coming off a humbling 4-1 loss to Orlando City, Miami was heavily favored against a Galaxy team that had won just three games all season and allowed 52 goals.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Miami’s roster is the most expensive and high-profile in the league, and though the team was coming off a humbling 4-1 loss to Orlando City, Miami was heavily favored against a Galaxy team that had won just three games all season and allowed 52 goals.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humbling
Adjective
This sub is routinely very humbling.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
The rapid evolution of AI has brought many humbling surprises.
—Webb Wright, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2025
The first risk is asking friends and family to believe in you and cut a check, which can be a humbling and sometimes unkind process.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
Dieter Koschina could probably get away with being a little less humble.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2025
From humble beginnings in Nigeria to a boyhood move to Ontario, Oluwaseyi will be able to share how he was drafted 17th overall in the 2022 MLS draft but missed most of his rookie season with the Loons because of issues with his knee, as well as a few hamstring strains.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Kuang sees possibility instead, as though academia is meant to be constantly humbling.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Miami’s roster is the most expensive and high-profile in the league, and though the team was coming off a humbling 4-1 loss to Orlando City, Miami was heavily favored against a Galaxy team that had won just three games all season and allowed 52 goals.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
Kuang sees possibility instead, as though academia is meant to be constantly humbling.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Miami’s roster is the most expensive and high-profile in the league, and though the team was coming off a humbling 4-1 loss to Orlando City, Miami was heavily favored against a Galaxy team that had won just three games all season and allowed 52 goals.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbling
Noun
-
The Iranians will not be able to live with this humiliation for long.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Only something that is equally enormous, in terms of humiliation, could suffice.—
Jane Ciabattari
August 26,
Literary Hub,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Once opened, maple syrup should be stored in the refrigerator to prevent mold growth and flavor degradation.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Suppression repair is a critical part of firefighting efforts, to reduce erosion and soil degradation in the areas used in the firefighting efforts.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
How Often To Clean Linoleum Floors For general cleaning, Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, recommends removing dust and debris in high-traffic areas daily using a dry microfiber mop.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The dust-less quality makes litter tracking minimal and easy to clean up.—
Kayla Blanton,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbling. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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