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

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

From BBC • Jan. 24, 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

I have visions of opposing teams making enormous flyswatters and giant cans of insecticide out of papier-mache to humiliate us during half- time programs.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Vocabulary lists containing humiliate

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"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney

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