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 gesture provoked a seismic reaction internationally while infuriating Olympic officials who claimed Smith and Carlos used the world stage to humiliate their home country.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

"By insisting on retraction China is trying to humiliate her and turning up the heat on the controversy," Kingston said.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 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

The others came out of the ship, on my advice: evidence of any mistrust at this point would humiliate the Karhidish escort, impugning their shifgrethor.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

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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