Synonyms of humiliate

humiliate

verb

hyü-ˈmi-lē-ˌāt 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discredit
• embarrass
• degrade
• humble
• demean
• shame
• disgrace
• confuse
• insult
• debase
• dishonor
• abase
• cheapen
• chasten
• criticize
• rattle
• diminish
• take down
• lower
• ridicule
• mortify
• foul
• smirch
• minimize
• disparage
• belittle
• sink
• disconcert
• defame
• detract
• confound
• condemn
• faze
• malign
• depreciate
• slander
• fluster
• discomfit
• discountenance
• castigate
• libel
• decry
• affront
• defile
• discount
• abash
• write off
• denounce
• nonplus
• bad-mouth
• put down
• cry down
• censure
• damn
• execrate
• reprehend
• reprobate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exalt
• elevate
• aggrandize
• honor
• congratulate
• cheer
• celebrate
• deify
• commend
• recognize
• applaud
• decorate
• canonize
• acknowledge
• boast
• compliment
• praise
• cite
• salute
• eulogize
• laud
• extol
• hail
• tout
• highlight
• promote
• glorify
• fete
• ennoble
• acclaim
• dignify
• magnify
• enthrone
• enshrine
• lift
• play up
• raise
• advance
• uplift
• spotlight
• boost
• upgrade
• idealize
• romanticize
• ensky

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of humiliate

The novel follows 16-year-old Abby, who is left humiliated after a private photo gets shared around school. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

The autocrat delights in humiliating so many people, not least tech billionaires, including Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, who once opposed him. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 23 June 2026

Only the United States was humiliated; both countries have experienced a catastrophic loss. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026

However, they were then humiliated 2-1, after extra time, by second division side Torreense in the final. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 17 June 2026