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

Even in the aftermath of their humbling 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands in their competition opener in Switzerland, Fishlock was intent on ensuring further progress was the target.

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“Nothing is a straight line, ever and sport is so humbling.”

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“We must hope that their humbling by Israel may bring an opportunity for a reset. That requires a change in the mentality of Tehran not yet detected in intelligence.”

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He also spoke about how his "emotions" nearly got the better of him during the "humbling" final gig at Villa Park in early July.

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

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Related Words

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