humiliate

verb

hyü-ˈmi-lē-ˌāt How to pronounce humiliate (audio)
Definition of humiliatenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of humiliate Online Israel critics, whose numbers multiplied throughout 2026, humiliated Stevens. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Filming a scene in which Isaiah humiliates Cam, Withers asked Wayans to crack jokes about Kionte’s death — the defining event of Withers’ life, and his lowest point. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026 The moment is a deliberate callback to the premiere, when Max seized a microphone at a fundraiser and humiliated Anna in public. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026 In Boston, a 30-year-old political communications strategist named Abhijeet Dipke woke up to the remark and felt humiliated by it. — Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for humiliate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humiliate
  1. discredit
  2. embarrass
  3. demean
  4. degrade
Verb
  • Inflicting these details on the jury, the children’s family members, and the public served no discernible purpose in establishing Clancy’s mens rea, which might have discredited her not-guilty plea.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The indictment became a rallying point to discredit not only the SPLC but the wider body of research on hate groups and political extremism.
    — Art Jipson, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of discredit
Verb
  • For example, a relative’s benign remark about the texture of a turkey dinner at a family gathering might be interpreted by someone with schizophrenia as a statement meant to embarrass them.
    — Matthew Kurtz, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
  • College students should not have to worry about their parents embarrassing them to an audience of thousands.
    — Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrass
Verb
  • The sources firmly rejected the draft declarations, characterizing them as publicity stunts designed to mock the league, sow division, and draw attention to the topic by demeaning others.
    — Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The Fishback file James Fishback, with no relevant accomplishments or experience, is running a disgracefully racist and antisemitic campaign marked by demeaning attacks on Donalds, who is Black.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of demean
Verb
  • Iran is expanding its defense capabilities, an Iranian army commander said Wednesday, after much of the country’s equipment was degraded by US-Israeli strikes in the early days of the war.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The status of its nuclear program, degraded by bombing strikes in 2025, hasn't changed.
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of degrade

Browse Nearby Words

humidity
humiliate
humiliated
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Cite this Entry

“Humiliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humiliate. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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