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

Existential humility benefits other people in someone’s life, from friends and neighbors to strangers. — Daryl Van Tongeren, Fortune, 12 June 2026

Greater humility might be in order, along with some (literally any more than zero) commitment to pressing. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 June 2026

Dad, an upstate New York doctor who found the idea of fashion publishing fancy beyond his comprehension, was blown away by her humility. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 June 2026

Still, this isn't the time to hide behind humility. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026