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
-
Panic, self-doubt, and embarrassment set in.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The latter, of course, gives better info, and the former gives fleeting metaphors and nearly faints from embarrassment.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Multiple helpers can slow response during urgent scams and create confusion when fast decisions matter.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The category confusion continued this year.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As wonderful as Wilde is in what’s easily one of her best roles, the equally fearless Hoffman matches her every step of the way, with sly comic timing and poignant vulnerability as Elliot wrestles with anger, humiliation and confusion over what could be lust or love, in spite of everything.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Evidence showed victims were compelled to engage in prostitution by means of force and acts of humiliation, according to the statement.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mortification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortification. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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