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.

He’ll stick around through the series, offering barbed commentary and something like support: “If I humiliate you, it’s to save you from the bigger humiliation of remaining as you are.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 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

"From today on, no-one in this life is going to humiliate you any more," Thiago told her on the way home.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

By revealing the scandal as guests enjoy their turkey, Buddy hopes to humiliate his enemy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Shawn had meant it to humiliate me, to lock me in time, into an old idea of myself.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Vocabulary lists containing humiliate

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"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney

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