Synonyms of humility

humility

noun

hyü-ˈmi-lə-tē 

as in meekness

the absence of any feelings of being better than others

displaying genuine humility, the peace activist accepted the Nobel Prize on behalf of all who have worked to end the violence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• meekness
• humbleness
• lowliness
• modesty
• demureness
• quietness
• directness
• down-to-earthness
• submissiveness
• deference
• passivity
• naïveté
• acquiescence
• compliance
• submission
• timidity
• ingenuousness
• timidness
• diffidence
• plainness
• bashfulness
• sheepishness
• reserve
• resignedness
• reservedness
• shyness
• simpleness
• mousiness
• retiringness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• arrogance
• pride
• haughtiness
• egotism
• egoism
• assumption
• superiority
• loftiness
• conceit
• pomposity
• attitude
• imperiousness
• superciliousness
• presumptuousness
• hauteur
• pompousness
• pridefulness
• pretense
• assertiveness
• pretension
• pretentiousness
• lordliness
• boldness
• peremptoriness
• aggressiveness
• bumptiousness
• huffiness
• swagger
• cockiness
• brashness
• overconfidence
• forwardness
• cocksureness
• temerity
• audaciousness
• toploftiness
• cheekiness
• insolence
• impudence
• cheek
• nerve
• impertinence
• boastfulness
• vanity
• sauciness
• brassiness
• condescension
• disdain
• swash
• self-satisfaction
• self-importance
• self-conceit
• self-complacency
• self-centeredness
• scorn
• self-glorification
• self-opinion
• chest-thumping
• ostentation
• vaingloriousness
• flamboyance
• self-applause
• showiness
• ostentatiousness
• self-assumption
• self-partiality

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of humility

To reach the quarterfinals in New York, Zheng had to accept her newfound station in tennis — not to abandon her confidence for the sake of humility, but to combine her natural self-belief with acceptance of her reality and a new perspective. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

While science is often perceived as cold and overly logical, for Schroeder its practice stirs a humility and appreciation for the vastness of nature and the depth of time. — Brad Balukjian, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026

His family wrote of York's kindness, encouragement, generosity, patience, empathy, open mindedness and humility, positively impacted the lives of everyone. — Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Her ideals of Christian humility and simplicity and service are genuine. — Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026