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
  • Her healing journey involves dating a 20-something trans man (Theo Germaine) and confronting SNL alum Julia Sweeney, whose androgynous character Pat bears a humiliating resemblance to Abby.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
  • For the Muslim-majority regions that had once seen themselves as centers of learning and power, European domination over parts of Asia – including South Asia and Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East – was seen as humiliating.
    — Mimi Hanaoka, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of humiliating
Verb
  • Many of the voters of the other political parties have been lending him their support, partly in the hope of embarrassing Farage.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Anthrax, Sublime, and Red Hot Chili Peppers were easy and often embarrassing examples, but the funky waka-waka guitar sound extended to Rage Against the Machine, Green Jellÿ, and Suicidal Tendencies (and their side project, Infectious Grooves).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 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 light entering my eyes would bend at two different angles, confusing my brain and making my vision a little blurry.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Bringing in extra mythology wouldn’t make the confusing parts any less confusing, and would just confuse the parts that aren’t confusing at all.
    — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusing
Adjective
  • By suggesting that Black women would willingly place their own children in mortal danger for profit, such narratives provided yet another means of humiliating, degrading and dehumanizing African Americans.
    — The Conversation, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
  • With fracking — which is already outlawed on offshore platforms in California waters, and is widely viewed as an environmentally degrading and often risky process — Gilda’s production would jump to about 4,000 barrels a day.
    — Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of degrading
Adjective
  • The consulting partner who learned precision was never demeaning.
    — Mark Nevins, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The league is clearly consumed by athletes with bigoted, demeaning views of white women.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 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 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mortifying

Nglish: Translation of mortifying for Spanish Speakers

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