as in demeaning
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as in discrediting
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 humiliating
Robert Lang, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
John Mulaney actually made good on his promise to fight three 14-year old boys on live TV and the result was… honestly pretty humiliating for him.
—Ew Staff December 5, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025
Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humiliating
Adjective
The screenplay efficiently charts Yoo’s humiliating and accelerating financial ruin.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
John Mulaney actually made good on his promise to fight three 14-year old boys on live TV and the result was… honestly pretty humiliating for him.
—Ew Staff December 5, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
This announcement, humiliating the involved member, is harmful.
—Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humiliating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humiliating
Adjective
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That demeaning statement has proven both accurate and inaccurate, depending on the president’s relationship with the vice president, their skill set, experience, and political ambition.—
Myra Adams,
Washington Post,
9 Jan. 2026
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Bruce was praised by fellow members of the White House press corps for asking important questions despite the president’s demeaning comments.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
21 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Megan thee Stallion, legal name Megan Pete, sued Milagro Cooper last year for defamation, accusing her of working with Tory Lanez on discrediting her during his own trial with Pete where he was convicted of shooting her in the foot.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
24 Nov. 2025
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On Thursday, India’s Press Information Bureau dismissed earlier social-media posts claiming that a Tejas aircraft had an oil leak during the air show, saying they were aimed at discrediting the fighter’s established technical reliability with unfounded claims, according to The Associated Press.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Sheriff Guidroz said the three inmates removed blocks from a degrading wall in the prison to create a hole, and used sheets to assist them in climbing down a wall and dropping to the ground.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
7 Dec. 2025
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The safety alert also offered guidance to students on recognizing possible hazing, including coercion, unsafe or degrading activities, or tasks presented as mandatory for joining a group.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Some mushroom bills backfired when their true impacts became known, embarrassing legislators who voted for them, and forcing them to backtrack.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
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The report reiterated concerns about seven situations, two of which have been on the list since 2007, including the bureaucracy’s chronic inability to successfully employ information technology — embarrassing for a state that is the global center for digital tools.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Those listeners are the ones who are our backbone, which is very humbling.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
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This sub is routinely very humbling.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Money-minded Venus is squaring curative Chiron, pushing you to match your spending habits with your values (without shaming yourself or others).—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
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Body shaming people on the other hand is NOT healthy and very rude.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Even more fortunately, TJ also has a real, if mortifying, alibi.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
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The answer might be a mortifying surprise.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The plotting becomes needlessly complicated at times, such as with Jack becoming a local hero after foiling a burglary, and later disgracing himself with a drunken tirade at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which leads to him being arrested and put on trial.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humiliating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humiliating. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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