as in embarrassment
the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable
the mortification of being dumped the night before the prom
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Recent Examples of mortification
The comments section features a piquant blend of solemnity, mortification, tastelessness, and transphobia, which accords with Moreschi’s reception in his lifetime.
—
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
As if unable to resist her own mortification, Leonora asks if the bed is comfortable.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
The cringing mortifications and unsettling unreality make the series a tough sit.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
Embarrassment and mortification at best, misunderstandings and criticism at worst.
—Grace Aldridge Foster, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortification
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
As if unable to resist her own mortification, Leonora asks if the bed is comfortable.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
The cringing mortifications and unsettling unreality make the series a tough sit.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
Embarrassment and mortification at best, misunderstandings and criticism at worst.
—Grace Aldridge Foster, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortification
Noun
-
Rajoub refused the entreaty, much to the frustration and embarrassment of Infantino.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
-
Trump hopes to move past the political embarrassment during a fresh test of his political clout in South Carolina and Nevada.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Last year, Kennedy’s ACIP didn’t issue a guidance on COVID vaccines until September, then softened the recommendations for their use, sowing confusion as pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and patients tried to figure out who was eligible for the shots and whether insurers would pay.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
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Lost in the Brazilian tears, anguish and confusion was just how clinical the Germans had been.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
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Teenagers today are consuming endless streams of violent content, ideological rage, conspiracy theories, humiliation culture and social isolation through digital platforms that reward outrage and emotional instability.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
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Whatever pleasure could be had in Nate’s comeuppance was undone by his humiliation dragging out for hours before being put out of his misery; Cassie’s next act as a hype-house doyenne is only handwaved at, and any responsibility for Nate’s unpaid debts handwaved entirely.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mortification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortification. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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