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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
  • After traveling about 16,000 air miles round trip for their season-opener in Australia — and suffering a humiliating loss to the San Francisco 49ers — the home opener requires only a 28-mile journey and offers a chance for a reboot.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Their admirable determination makes Diamantis’ flight from the United States baffling for us and humiliating for them.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of humiliating
Verb
  • Things escalate as the two share a car ride home from a fancy gala and the bad man yells at her for embarrassing him.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Neither party acted on it; Republicans wanted to avoid embarrassing Trump, while Democrats wanted to avoid embarrassing Nancy Pelosi, whose husband is an active trader.
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Sep. 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
  • The common mistake is confusing behavioral information with behavioral intelligence.
    — Dr. Jay R. Harrison, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • No doubt, Gucci Morty is confusing teachers who are receiving similar responses from their students.
    — Owen Carry, USA Today, 22 Sep. 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
  • Leeman also said the jury was denied the full context of Allen’s time in solitary confinement, such as the audio depicting demeaning and extreme behavior.
    — Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Chanen is among a new generation of wives and girlfriends of pro athletes, aka WAGs, who have proudly reclaimed the once-demeaning term.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 8 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 30 Sep. 2026.

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