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.

After the embarrassment of 2018, they simply couldn’t humiliate themselves on home soil.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

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

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

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

Meme realized that he was burning in the heat of his pride, and she desperately looked for a way to humiliate him.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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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