humbling

[huhm-bling, uhm-]

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.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of humbling¹

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

A touch of redemption for him after his red card in Bruges left his team-mates exposed to an almighty Champions League humbling.

From BBC

It’s very humbling when we speak to people.

From Los Angeles Times

“I probably shouldn’t say this, but here’s the reality that is humbling and keeps you from floating off into space,” Anderson tells me.

From Los Angeles Times

The Greeks will return to Glasgow desperate to ignite their campaign after their home humbling.

From BBC

“It’s a humbling experience,” Harris said about the accident that left him with an eye injury.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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