humiliation

[hyoo-mil-ee-ey-shuhn, yoo-]

noun

1. an act or instance of humiliating humiliating or being humiliated.

2. the state or feeling of being humiliated; mortification.

   Synonyms: dishonor, degradation

Other Word Forms

• rehumiliation noun
• self-humiliation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of humiliation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin humiliātiōn- (stem of humiliātiō ). See humiliate, -ion

Synonym Study

See shame.

Example Sentences

Throwing a shoe at someone in public is seen as an act of disrespect and humiliation in India and many other countries.

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I don’t know why, but I was suddenly ravenous and wolfed down a dozen saltines and two chocolate chip cookies just to chase the taste of my humiliation.

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The head of the opposition Democratic Party, Yair Golan, called it a "humiliation".

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An awful winter, including an early exit from the T20 World Cup and a clean-sweep humiliation in the Ashes, meant change was inevitable.

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Felix, who is suing the user in Seoul, said the accusations caused him "severe mental distress, physical distress and humiliation".

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Related Words

• confusion 
• degradation 
• disgrace 
• ignominy 
• indignity 
• shame