humbling

American  

[huhm-bling, uhm-] / ˈhʌm blɪŋ, ˈʌm- /

adjective

1. causing a person to feel less proud, especially through awe, admiration, or gratitude.

   This project has involved some exceptionally talented people and it’s been a humbling experience to work with them.

2. lowering a person’s status, power, dignity, confidence, etc..

   The 26:2 vote in favor of their opponents was indeed a humbling defeat.

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noun

1. the act of affecting a person or thing in any of these ways, or the experience of being so affected.

   The Magna Carta marked the restoration of Anglo-Saxon freedom and the humbling of Norman tyranny.

Other Word Forms

• humblingly adverb
• self-humbling adjective

Etymology

Origin of humbling

First recorded in 1540–50; humbl(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; humbl(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

It’s impossible to say whether and for how long this cheerful trend will continue, but for now let’s savor the double treat of better-than-expected prosperity and a humbling of the highly credentialed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Not surprisingly, his affections weren’t returned, but the humbling experience taught him several career-defining lessons.

From Barron's

"Just to receive this honour is wonderful and humbling at the same time," said Dean.

From BBC

The pair said becoming a dame and a sir respectively was "wonderful and humbling at the same time".

From Barron's

Experiencing financial, emotional trauma is both challenging and humbling.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• contempt
• degradation
• dishonor
• disrespect
• humiliation
• ignominy
• opprobrium
• reproach
• scorn
• stigma