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
But Constance offered no more in her own defense, for all her mortification.
—
Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
Oldman’s face, set in brooding concentration, evokes a pained, vaguely incredulous mortification, which builds to a bitter, almost paralyzing ruefulness.
—Houman Barekat, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Hong again employs the long table-time takes that have witnessed the mortification of so many drunken characters, this time skewering Donghwa.
—Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
Whetstone said the power was with the poster and encouraged her mother to be remorseful, express mortification with her actions and work to make amends.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortification
Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
Oldman’s face, set in brooding concentration, evokes a pained, vaguely incredulous mortification, which builds to a bitter, almost paralyzing ruefulness.
—Houman Barekat, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Hong again employs the long table-time takes that have witnessed the mortification of so many drunken characters, this time skewering Donghwa.
—Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
Whetstone said the power was with the poster and encouraged her mother to be remorseful, express mortification with her actions and work to make amends.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortification
Noun
-
The embarrassment of a first-round exit looms as an uncomfortable possibility.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Sacking him is an embarrassment for all concerned, but 106 days after his appointment, Chelsea’s executives felt a change was needed to give the club the best possible chance of achieving their remaining aims for the season.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Keep your tone calm, but don’t leave room for confusion.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Some confusion led to a 50/50 jump ball, which Miami won and worked in a cross, and Germán Berterame headed it in at the back post.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Abusers often employ fear, humiliation and isolation to not only limit one’s movements but to control the outside narrative.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Niall, for his part, only comes to hate himself more as gay acceptance goes mainstream, his initial distress over his sexuality compounded by humiliation at being unable to get past that distress.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mortification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortification. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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