as in to discredit
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the reigning tennis champ was humiliated on the court by a newcomer who defeated him in straight sets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of humiliate
Tiger Woods is reportedly reeling after his latest DUI arrest, humiliated by the fallout.
—
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Attorneys representing Butler, Darnbrough, the Commonwealth and the Bristol District Attorney’s Office at the Thursday status hearing all argued the letters lacked veracity, contained false allegations meant to humiliate and embarrass Butler and Darnbrough, and should not be disclosed.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
The leadership of the country that has threatened the stability and prosperity of the world will eventually be ousted, disempowered and humiliated.
—Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
The former Iranian diplomat Hossein Mousavian once scolded Americans for failing to realize that his people are prideful and vain, and that negotiations meant to humiliate and insult them won’t get far.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for humiliate
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Attorneys representing Butler, Darnbrough, the Commonwealth and the Bristol District Attorney’s Office at the Thursday status hearing all argued the letters lacked veracity, contained false allegations meant to humiliate and embarrass Butler and Darnbrough, and should not be disclosed.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
The leadership of the country that has threatened the stability and prosperity of the world will eventually be ousted, disempowered and humiliated.
—Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
The former Iranian diplomat Hossein Mousavian once scolded Americans for failing to realize that his people are prideful and vain, and that negotiations meant to humiliate and insult them won’t get far.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for humiliate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humiliate
Verb
-
Robert Brulle, a visiting professor at Brown University who studies fossil fuel lobbying, said ExxonMobil led efforts to discredit climate science that successfully impeded government intervention.—
Alex Kuffner,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
New science and forensics have since discredited the expert’s conclusion, prompting Gurley to throw out the convictions and order a new trial.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That this series has flipped on its head seemed almost impossible last Sunday, when the Celtics embarrassed Philadelphia in a Game 4 win on the Sixers’ home floor.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The Mets were embarrassed by the Washington Nationals in an 14-2 blowout to even up the series at one game apiece.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some mineral sunscreen manufacturers add UV filters such as butyloctyl salicylic acid and ethylhexyl methoxycrylene to prevent SPF levels from degrading in zinc oxide, which Downs has linked to potential cancer risks and coral toxicity.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Even certain nonstick surfaces can degrade over time.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Humiliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humiliate. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
