humble 1 of 2

Definition of humblenext
1
as in meek
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness a medical scientist who remained remarkably humble even after winning the Nobel Prize even though she'd been proven wrong, her attitude was still far from humble

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2
3
as in servile
showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness please accept my humble thanks for this unexpected favor

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humble

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of humble
Adjective
As with many Silicon Valley start-ups, the beginnings were humble. Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 28 June 2026 For an institution that has educated so many American presidents, Nobel laureates and Declaration of Independence signers, Harvard University had a rather humble beginning. Joe Yogerst, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
Verb
Biden’s act of clemency humbled Dobbs, his wife said. Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026 Anguay said in a statement that she was humbled by the appointment, and said the utility would maintain its focus on providing safe, reliable power at affordable rates. Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for humble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humble
Adjective
  • Contrasting her with the meek, mysterious, and passive Anthy, the series examines the constrictions both men and women face via traditional gender roles, with an eye towards gender fluidity that remains radical today.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
  • The series centers on Cha Myung-jo, a meek worker at a company producing imitation character stickers who, despite nominally heading his household, lives in the shadow of his far more capable wife.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • Those groups also have lower access to drugs that can stop the transmission of HIV.
    Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
  • Last winter was the second-warmest on record, according to the city’s ordinance, with record low snowpack almost everywhere.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, Trump takes servile flattery as his due.
    Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
  • Of course, all of this convenient acquiescence will sound familiar in the United States, where our own Congress and Department of Justice have been nothing if not servile to a brazenly corrupt executive.
    Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Israel must leave humiliated and defeated — and that is exactly what will happen.
    Mark Osborne, CBS News, 26 June 2026
  • Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • In a high-debt environment, even a modest increase in interest rates can add a significant fiscal burden.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 2 July 2026
  • This sentiment stems from accelerating inflation, a cooling labor market, modest productivity gains, and AI's unfulfilled promise of broad wage increases.
    William Arruda, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Blues finished a lowly 10th in the Premier League table last season.
    Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Miller added that not only was Movie Night back, but us lowly fans are its curators.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • The 2026 season has been an abject disaster, the sort that was more common under the previous ownership.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • The president ran on ending wars, but for the last 15 weeks, his choices have been nothing more than an abject failure.
    The Editorial Board, Daily News, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Instead, they are encouraged to view blue zones primarily through the lens of a sloppy critique that has already been discredited.
    Torie Bosch, STAT, 20 June 2026
  • This doesn’t discredit the fact that mental and physical changes from menopause can be disorienting and jarring.
    Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Humble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humble. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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