Synonyms of mortify

mortify

verb

ˈmȯr-tə-ˌfī 

as in to embarrass

to throw into a state of self-conscious distress

was mortified by her children's atrocious manners

Synonyms & Similar Words

• embarrass
• confuse
• fluster
• bother
• disconcert
• rattle
• disturb
• humiliate
• faze
• discountenance
• unsettle
• discomfit
• confound
• abash
• upset
• distress
• nonplus
• discomfort
• perturb
• agitate
• disquiet
• humble
• demean
• shame
• unhinge
• dismay
• put off
• debase
• discompose
• degrade
• put out
• chagrin
• queer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relieve
• soothe
• comfort
• encourage
• calm
• console
• cheer
• assure
• reassure
• embolden
• hearten
• buoy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mortify

Bonner, mortified, reached out the next day to invite them back. — John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026

The film approaches its health crisis with amazing balance and breadth, resulting in a mortifying conflict that feels uniquely global in scale. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026

The episode concludes with Rhaenyra looking completely mortified at the idea of having to explain to Alicent what happened, since Alicent had set Rhaenyra up to take King’s Landing and thus the Iron Throne from Alicent’s son, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) — but hadn’t expected this. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 29 June 2026

But she was mortified when a crime website posted her mug shot. — Clare Amari, New York Times, 27 May 2026