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
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
For the Romans, dying on a cross was the most agonizing and humiliating method of death imaginable.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
First there was Norwegian’s Sturla Holm Lægreid confessing to cheating on his girlfriend during a live interview after winning the bronze medal and tearfully begging her to come back (shockingly, humiliating his ex on national television didn’t work).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for humiliating
Adjective
But the Heat’s choice to keep together the core that finished last season in humiliating fashion is close.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
For the Romans, dying on a cross was the most agonizing and humiliating method of death imaginable.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
Some, like Zdorovetskiy, have been accused of assaulting and humiliating their targets as viewers push for violence.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
First there was Norwegian’s Sturla Holm Lægreid confessing to cheating on his girlfriend during a live interview after winning the bronze medal and tearfully begging her to come back (shockingly, humiliating his ex on national television didn’t work).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for humiliating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humiliating
Adjective
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Her pictures, which start innocently enough from the puppy-dog idea, get increasingly demeaning.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
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Leadership was abusive, inappropriate and demeaning, employees told The Denver Post.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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My fear is that poor implementation and, above all, a failure to take accountability seriously will end up discrediting good ideas.—
Rachel Canter,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
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In April 2024, Hayden agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty for violating conflict of interest law by allowing his office to issue an official press statement aimed at discrediting his primary opponent, Arroyo, days before the election.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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There’s an adjustment period — percale can feel crisp at first — but most people acclimate within a week or two and find cotton softens further with every wash, rather than pilling or degrading like synthetics.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
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Most people acclimate within a week or two, and cotton gets softer with every wash rather than pilling or degrading.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tragicomedy repeats as embarrassing parody.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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The Charlotte Checkers opened the AHL playoffs with a bang Wednesday, embarrassing the Springfield Thunderbirds in the opening game of the teams’ first-round AHL playoff series in Charlotte.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 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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One defined by backstabbing, shaming and reveling in the Raws of other people.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
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The marvel of the play, and of this keenly staged and performed production, is its emotional volatility, the quiver of truth behind the percolating dialogue of evasion or shaming accusation.—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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One particularly mortifying episode from the past haunts Hally.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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Even more fortunately, TJ also has a real, if mortifying, alibi.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 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 3 May. 2026.
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