as in to discredit
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the reigning tennis champ was humiliated on the court by a newcomer who defeated him in straight sets
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Recent Examples of humiliate
Instead of turning him away from the party, these experiences seem to have led Xi to subscribe to a cause for which his father suffered so much and to seek to regain pride and legacy for a family that had been humiliated so many times.
—
Joseph Torigian, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Over 24 cycles, the show humiliated hundreds of young, naïve women (and, briefly, men) in the name of entertainment.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 9 July 2025
Soldatov said that along this path was the 2008 war in Georgia, which showed the Russian army would not be humiliated anymore.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Devyn LaBella, a stunt performer, sued Kevin Costner — the director, writer, star, financier and producer of the film — last month, alleging that she was shaken and humiliated after being forced to perform in the scene without warning.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for humiliate
Joseph Torigian, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Over 24 cycles, the show humiliated hundreds of young, naïve women (and, briefly, men) in the name of entertainment.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 9 July 2025
Soldatov said that along this path was the 2008 war in Georgia, which showed the Russian army would not be humiliated anymore.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Devyn LaBella, a stunt performer, sued Kevin Costner — the director, writer, star, financier and producer of the film — last month, alleging that she was shaken and humiliated after being forced to perform in the scene without warning.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for humiliate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humiliate
Verb
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During the two-month trial, Combs’ defense attorneys focused much of their efforts on questioning – and attempting to discredit – witnesses brought forth by the prosecution.—
Elizabeth Wagmeister,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
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Activists have worked steadily to discredit stories about famine.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Dodgers embarrassed them on the field and then hit the podcast circuit to shame them some more, ridiculing their defense, their baserunning, their lack of composure and even their unnecessary visits to the mound.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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Big yikes: This is a sarcastic phrase to publicly mock or shame someone for a cringey comment, outfit, or behavior and is used to embarrass others in group chats or social media.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Although Israel did not fully eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities, its air campaign delayed, degraded, and deterred Iran’s ambitions, and further transformed the Middle East’spolitical landscape.—
DAVID A. DEPTULA,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Aug. 2025
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They are also believed to degrade water quality, which can hurt sensitive organisms like freshwater mussels.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humiliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humiliate. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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