mortifying 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of mortifyingnext
as in humiliating

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mortifying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of mortify
as in embarrassing
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress was mortified by her children's atrocious manners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mortifying
Adjective
There was once a time when a visible slip was considered a mortifying fashion faux pas. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 July 2026 Iran got the United States to sign a document that even Americans described as degrading, mortifying, a total capitulation. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026
Verb
The graduation ceremony and the reception afterward are cute and heartwarming for the grown-ups, bittersweet and mortifying for the kids, who skive off to smoke some of Ed’s high-test weed and have a little Texas Forever moment, toasting their enduring friendships. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026 Classmates saw the sign while riding by Goepper’s home on the school bus, mortifying the teenage Goepper. — Sean Gregory, Time, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mortifying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortifying
  1. humiliating
  2. embarrassing
  3. humbling
  4. confusing
  5. degrading
  6. demeaning
Adjective
  • There's something deeply exhausting about it and a bit humiliating.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • For him, the experience was humiliating, no matter the weather.
    — Kathleen Toner, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of humiliating
Verb
  • My New York neighbors barely said hello; in Singapore, a stranger would probably politely look away rather than risk embarrassing you.
    — Amanda Lee Koe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • After those results went public, embarrassing Muñiz and a few other judges, the Florida Bar stopped conducting surveys and publishing the results … leaving Florida voters with even fewer resources.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of embarrassing
Adjective
  • Being on an island starving is very humbling.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Those listeners are the ones who are our backbone, which is very humbling.
    — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of humbling
Verb
  • Bill Belichick has made a Hall of Fame career on confusing young quarterbacks.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The crowd even includes Sam, who has a fun moment catching up with Roy and confusing him with an observation that sounds like it was inspired by The Wizard of Oz.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of confusing
Adjective
  • At Fuerte Guaicaipuro, a military facility, investigators documented detainees being confined in pit-like cells dug below ground level and subjected to cold, food deprivation and other degrading treatment.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The beating can look degrading, but the check might protect opportunities for hundreds of athletes who never appear in the game.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of degrading
Adjective
  • The first big studio feature with an all-Asian cast was praised for depicting Chinese characters and Chinese food in a non-demeaning way.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • No child should experience therapy that is coercive, demeaning or traumatic.
    — Robin Koncilja, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of demeaning

Browse Nearby Words

mortify
mortifying
mortuary
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Cite this Entry

“Mortifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortifying. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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