- present participle of humble.
humbling
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
lowering a person’s status, power, dignity, confidence, etc..
The 26:2 vote in favor of their opponents was indeed a humbling defeat.
noun
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I don’t have shame about the fact that it’s been hard. I have never met a more humbling experience,” she said with an outsize emphasis on “never.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
Considered a title threat, Oregon was coming off a humbling loss to Oklahoma State, which won a single game last year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
The knives were being sharpened on Maresca after a Community Shield humbling by Mikel Arteta's Gunners in August but City have responded in superb fashion with seven straight victories in all competitions.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
Carl Williams, station manager at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, took part in the event along with eight of his colleagues, describing the experience as "quite humbling".
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
It was humbling to see how the suggestions of ordinary people were often far ahead of the leaders’.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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