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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of humiliating
Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026
My own experiences cross country skiing have been humbling, maybe even humiliating.
—Outside Online, 7 Jan. 2026
Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humiliating
Adjective
Braced by that humiliating rebuff, the Service wasted no time in getting serious and rallying around reform.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026
My own experiences cross country skiing have been humbling, maybe even humiliating.
—Outside Online, 7 Jan. 2026
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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Other Natives found the video demeaning when it was circulated.—
Ian Frazier,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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Supporters of Pahlavi were particularly vocal in Mashhad this month, as attested by the prevalence of pro-monarchy graffiti on city walls, and the regime’s propaganda devoted particular attention to discrediting the former crown prince.—
Davood Moradian,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
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Elordi and Giannulli appeared to be going strong over the next two years, with sources discrediting breakup speculation to PEOPLE in January 2024 and as the two vacationed together in Italy the following September.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Former detainees and human rights organizations have documented systematic torture and severe abuses inside the facility, including beatings, electric shocks, suspension by limbs, prolonged stress positions and other degrading treatment.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
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Currently the funds spent by governments and the private sector on destroying biodiversty and degrading cosystems like forests and seagrasses are 30 times larger than the flows supporting conservation, restoration and protection of the natural world.—
Nick Nuttall,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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An unwritten rule of the NBA, it is generally viewed as a sign of respect to run out the clock rather than risk embarrassing an opponent.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Recently, Ryan spoke about the Beckham situation, the process of writing material as a mother without embarrassing her kids and her new goal of returning to the career trajectory of her pre-pregnant self in the near future.—
Deputy Entertainment,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Being on an island starving is very humbling.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
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Those listeners are the ones who are our backbone, which is very humbling.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cabot experienced firsthand the extremity of public shaming that women have long experienced when in the negative spotlight of the media, one their male counterparts often seem to avoid.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
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Content promoting extreme beauty standards, unhealthy dieting, or body shaming also falls under these limits.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Even more fortunately, TJ also has a real, if mortifying, alibi.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
-
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 8 Feb. 2026.
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