as in demeaning
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as in discrediting
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the reigning tennis champ was humiliated on the court by a newcomer who defeated him in straight sets
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Recent Examples of humiliating
David Frum, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
In the statement, the club denied any violations of university policies, including on any requirements of alcohol use, humiliating acts or any intentional targeting of rookies or new members.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 20 Feb. 2026
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
First there was Norwegian’s Sturla Holm Lægreid confessing to cheating on his girlfriend during a live interview after winning the bronze medal and tearfully begging her to come back (shockingly, humiliating his ex on national television didn’t work).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for humiliating
Adjective
Acceptance would be smart, but humiliating.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
In the statement, the club denied any violations of university policies, including on any requirements of alcohol use, humiliating acts or any intentional targeting of rookies or new members.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Some, like Zdorovetskiy, have been accused of assaulting and humiliating their targets as viewers push for violence.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
First there was Norwegian’s Sturla Holm Lægreid confessing to cheating on his girlfriend during a live interview after winning the bronze medal and tearfully begging her to come back (shockingly, humiliating his ex on national television didn’t work).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for humiliating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humiliating
Adjective
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The epitome of narcissism, demeaning and denigrating others upon their deaths (John McCain, Rob Reiner) who’ve displeased him is nothing new, but the Mueller post sinks to a new low.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
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To emphasize that new technology can’t change bad behavior, Josh mirrors many of the same demeaning and destructive traits of showrunner Paulie G (Lance Barber), the antagonist of Seasons One and Two.—
Jennifer Silverman,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Henry’s wife Yasmin (Marisa Abela) ultimately convinces Hayley to accuse Dycker of assault, discrediting his story about Tender, and weaponizing #MeToo-era politics.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
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Supporters of Pahlavi were particularly vocal in Mashhad this month, as attested by the prevalence of pro-monarchy graffiti on city walls, and the regime’s propaganda devoted particular attention to discrediting the former crown prince.—
Davood Moradian,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Amnesty International has said that the use of the death penalty under the new measure could violate the right to life and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as enshrined in international law.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
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For Hildegard…women’s maternal bodies were not corrupting and degrading, but strong, nurturing, and creative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Harbaugh has taken a blow torch to the Giants’ embarrassing special teams unit.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
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Fairchild played the free-wheeling bon vivant Nora Tyler Bing on five episodes of the sitcom classic, unwittingly embarrassing Perry's Chandler Bing to the delight of his pals.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Being on an island starving is very humbling.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
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Those listeners are the ones who are our backbone, which is very humbling.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On Saturday, Jorginho posted a lengthy Instagram Story, claiming that Roan’s security team was extremely aggressive toward his family for walking past her table and shaming her for disrespecting her fans, especially a child.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
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Through a mix of orders, shaming, and a whole lot of banging of the gavel, the octogenarian managed to avoid a nightmare scenario of one of his colleagues pummeling a witness.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even more fortunately, TJ also has a real, if mortifying, alibi.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
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The answer might be a mortifying surprise.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The plotting becomes needlessly complicated at times, such as with Jack becoming a local hero after foiling a burglary, and later disgracing himself with a drunken tirade at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which leads to him being arrested and put on trial.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humiliating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humiliating. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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