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

Walcott-George, who played a major role in setting up the camps and based his dissertation on the work, described the experience as deeply humbling.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

The comic’s statement continued: “I’d just like to say that it is indeed humbling to get anything named for a man who’s been thrown out of as many school libraries as Mark Twain.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Like the NBA player who has a humbling “Welcome to the NBA” moment, Chicago students have a “Welcome to the University of Chicago” moment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

As film star owners watched on, it was a video screen that brought a cruel dose of reality to a fantastic FA Cup tie and ensured Chelsea avoided a humbling fifth-round exit.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

I had not hitchhiked in twenty-five years, and it was a vaguely humbling experience.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

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