as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
was mortified by her children's atrocious manners
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Recent Examples of mortify
She also was mortified and wounded.
—
Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Ann Kerr was mortified by the behavior of her 60-year-old coaching son, for the first time in quite a while.
—Janie McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
At first, these were agonizingly slow and laborious series of movements designed to mortify the flesh – to help the spiritual overcome the physical – and instill discipline and union among the members.
—Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
Emily is mortified and apologizes profusely, but these two can no longer be together.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortify
Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Ann Kerr was mortified by the behavior of her 60-year-old coaching son, for the first time in quite a while.
—Janie McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
At first, these were agonizingly slow and laborious series of movements designed to mortify the flesh – to help the spiritual overcome the physical – and instill discipline and union among the members.
—Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
Emily is mortified and apologizes profusely, but these two can no longer be together.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortify
Verb
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One day, Will goes viral after embarrassing ROAR league MVP, Mane Attraction (Aaron Pierre), during a streetball challenge, prompting his favorite team, the Vineland Thorns, to sign him to a season-ending contract in a desperate attempt to juice ticket sales.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
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The case has deeply embarrassed the royal family, especially his mother, who suffers from an incurable lung illness and who is torn between her role as mother and future queen.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The citizens of Texas are confusing hospitality for complacency.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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To give my permission to be sad, to be angry, to be confused.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mortify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortify. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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