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

"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

Gallantry is being the victor and refusing to humiliate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 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

It was meant to humiliate him, but the odd thing was that the attacks hurt less the longer they went on.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer

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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