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.

I have very mixed feelings about it, because I’m extremely grateful that I’ve made a living and haven’t had to humiliate myself too much in order to do it.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 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

The police circulated a text message on Monday threatening to punish anyone spreading footage that could create panic or humiliate people online.

From Barron's • Nov. 4, 2025

Don’t humiliate a pitcher — and not just ’cause it isn’t nice, because it’s stupid.

From Salon • Nov. 3, 2025

With the full knowledge and support of the president, CIA planners and gadget-makers began devising plots to humiliate the Cuban leader.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Vocabulary lists containing humiliate

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"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney

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