as in humiliates
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
Philip was utterly humbled by a crushing defeat in the first round of the state chess tournament
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Recent Examples of humbles
Summer heat humbles even experienced gardeners — but the good news is that some plants actually love it.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
The longevity of educational institutions humbles Molinaroli.
—Nia Bowers, Ascend Agency, 20 Feb. 2026
Those early days were quite something, and to know that moment meant something to you all these years on truly humbles me.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025
But Grande’s conceited blonde bubblehead gains in stature here as Glinda assumes statesmanlike responsibility to spread goodness in Oz, while experiencing crushing romantic disappointment that humbles her and deflates her vanity.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025
Nothing humbles a gal quite like the horrors of an old haircut.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
The longevity of educational institutions humbles Molinaroli.
—Nia Bowers, Ascend Agency, 20 Feb. 2026
Those early days were quite something, and to know that moment meant something to you all these years on truly humbles me.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025
But Grande’s conceited blonde bubblehead gains in stature here as Glinda assumes statesmanlike responsibility to spread goodness in Oz, while experiencing crushing romantic disappointment that humbles her and deflates her vanity.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025
Nothing humbles a gal quite like the horrors of an old haircut.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbles
Verb
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Incompetent leadership humiliates us on the global stage.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
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And the President doesn’t seem to mind if Vance humiliates himself running errands.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The praiseworthyness of having both sides of the debate evaporates when the host actively discredits the expert and reflexively enhances the legitimacy of the conspiracy theorist.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
1 Dec. 2025
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Yet despite its popularity, research discredits this long-standing belief.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Graft inquiry embarrasses Zelensky Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram announcement that the investigation into Yermak is ongoing.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Humbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbles. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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