Definitions

humiliate

[hyoo-mil-ee-eyt, yoo-] / hyuˈmɪl iˌeɪt, yu- /

VERB

embarrass, put down

Synonyms

STRONGEST

confuse crush degrade demean depress disgrace humble shame snub subdue

STRONG

abase abash base blister break chagrin chasten confound conquer debase denigrate deny discomfit discountenance dishonor downplay lower mortify pan rip slam smear squash vanquish wither

WEAK

bemean bring down bring low cast down cut down to size make a fool of make ashamed play down put out of countenance put to shame run down shoot down take down take down a peg tear down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build up encourage honor praise promote release respect upgrade

STRONG

agree allow boost cherish compliment elevate fail flatter laud lose surrender yield

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 2019 screen fiasco, which found countless ways to humiliate a cast that included Taylor Swift and Judi Dench, gave kitsch a bad name.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The goal "is not to dominate China; nor is it to strangle or humiliate them", the document says.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

But the image had been digitally altered — in the original, Armstrong appeared stoic and determined — and appeared to be designed to humiliate her before trial.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2026

Gallantry is being the victor and refusing to humiliate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

“Don’t leave me standing here with my empty hands,” she said, afraid that I would humiliate her in public.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Vocabulary lists containing humiliate

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney

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Words for the High School Graduate

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