humble 1 of 2

1
as in meek
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness a medical scientist who remained remarkably humble even after winning the Nobel Prize even though she'd been proven wrong, her attitude was still far from humble

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2
3
as in servile
showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness please accept my humble thanks for this unexpected favor

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humble

2 of 2

verb

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 humble
Adjective
Flanked by a Westworld-esque, retro-futuristic ball gown in Kummel red, the gleaming white bale feels almost humble in comparison — standing in the shadow as an artifact of quiet luxury. Denni Hu, WWD, 19 Mar. 2025 The bad ones just share vague tips, humble brags, or company announcements. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
Kevin Hart was very much humbled by his experience day drinking with Seth Meyers. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2025 Since then, reality has repeatedly humbled their ambitions to understand it. Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for humble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humble
Adjective
  • The Old Lady have underperformed for much of the campaign, and their meek exit from the Champions League at the hands of PSV Eindhoven increased the scrutiny on Motta, who’s only been in the job since last June.
    Emmet Gates, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The column was, if anything, meek to the point of embarrassing.
    Ruth Marcus, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite multiple promising routines in the practice sessions, Lee’s low score of 11.800 was not enough to send the Olympic Champion to Azerbaijan.
    Caroline Price, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Jeans styles in the 16-piece collection span low and loose fits in gray and light blue washes, a mid-rise straight in dark indigo and a vintage wash high-rise straight cropped at the ankle.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • So Alex dons a uniform, buses tables and engages in servile labor for the first time in her life.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Trump’s servile devotion to Putin becomes the new norm overnight as Republicans cower in support of Trump’s new Putin policy.
    Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Remember, Trump kicked off his political career by claiming Obama wasn't born here, and reportedly decided to run for president only after Obama humiliated him to his face at the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2011.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to the City of Hartford and Hartford School Board, the complaint named Tilda Santiago, a special education case manager who allegedly repeatedly bullied and harassed Ortiz by yelling and humiliating the teen in front of other students and teachers.
    David Chiu, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Most Popular Menu Items At first, the course’s modest menu was built out of necessity.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Because of its modest scale and deliberately slow pace of growth, referrals to the National Emergency Child Care Network are by word of mouth.
    Christine Ro, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s notable because Hayward’s former teams, the Utah Jazz and the Charlotte Hornets, have a legitimate chance at earning the top pick in the draft due to their lowly records.
    DJ Siddiqi, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Fox has made just 19 of 78 in his 14 games, a lowly 24%.
    Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Later, the abject widow is found huddled with her relatives in the pale curve of an empty swimming pool, a glowing charcoal imbaula nearby to keep them warm.
    Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
  • On an early spring night in 1992, about 75 people were packed under the high vaulted ceiling of the church’s main hall, in abject shock and grief.
    Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Influencers and consumers alike took to platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to discredit the brand and show their support for competitors such as Olipop.
    John Hall, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Roberts had been a judge for only about two years when he was nominated for the Supreme Court, so his judicial record was quite thin, and some Democrats and their allies hoped to point to his work as a lawyer to discredit him.
    Ian Millhiser, Vox, 29 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Humble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humble. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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