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.

At the time, Wallace said he was "deeply sorry for any distress" he caused, and that he "never set out to harm or humiliate".

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

“For years I have had to relive some of the hardest moments of my life while facing attempts to shame, humiliate and discredit me in open court,” Mann continued.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 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

That Garret Charles has chosen me to humiliate, probably to vent his exhaustion at being jet lagged or something.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle

Vocabulary lists containing humiliate

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"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney

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