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

The Mass closed with a familiar message from Leo, who has repeatedly urged dialogue over force and humility over dominance in the early months of his papacy. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Dec. 2025

For that to spark a chill of fear, or some humility? —Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025

At his sentencing, Navarro experimented, after two years of cocky public obstruction, with a bespoke form of humility. —Ian Parker, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

Dolan introduced his successor, the 58-year-old bishop from the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois, with his signature grace and humility. —Jessica Moore, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025