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

One has to be willing to humiliate oneself in order to yodel, there is no spiritual bypass. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

The party has found a kind of rhythm, where the president breaks fundraising records, spreads the wealth around, and, in return, gets to humiliate disloyal Republicans in seats that the party can’t lose. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2026

Israel must leave humiliated and defeated — and that is exactly what will happen. — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026