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
The second, a 2-1 home defeat, was mortifying. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 14 May 2026 And what could be more mortifying than getting lower ratings than your mother? — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 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
  • Long before October 2023, Gaza’s people suffered international sanctions, a humiliating occupation, and periodic Israeli bombardments.
    — Helen Epstein, The New York Review of Books, 22 July 2026
  • But the 75-year-old has been starring in jaw-droppingly humiliating videos shared by his social media accounts.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026
Definition of humiliating
Verb
  • Kyiv’s forces have targeted Russian oil facilities, causing fuel shortages and embarrassing President Vladimir Putin.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Benefield alleged her stepmother began isolating her from her father, blaming her for household conflicts, reading her private journal, publicly embarrassing her and seeking to push her out of the family dynamic.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 July 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
  • Experts argue that while autism doesn't excuse criminal acts, failing to understand its impact risks confusing impaired social reasoning with criminal intent, leading to unjust outcomes.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • How Patients Can Choose More Carefully Istanbul has a lot of options, which can feel both useful and also confusing at the same time.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of confusing
Adjective
  • Federal authorities have subjected record numbers of immigrants to mandatory detention, including in inhuman and degrading conditions, while gutting internal oversight mechanisms.
    — Minky Worden, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Detainees recounted degrading and inhumane living conditions that included bathrooms covered in feces, flooded housing units and no access to soap or other basic hygiene supplies, according to the report.
    — Michael Biesecker, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of degrading
Adjective
  • Some wives and girlfriends balk at the label, calling it demeaning shorthand that gives short shrift to a woman’s own worth.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • Some women who filed lawsuits against Ortega reported they had been confused about whether demeaning or uncomfortable actions the doctor engaged in during exams was within the bounds of necessary medical behavior.
    — Emily Hoerner, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 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 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mortifying

Nglish: Translation of mortifying for Spanish Speakers

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