humiliate
Americanverb (used with object)
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humiliates,
present (3rd person singular)
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humiliated,
past participle, past
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humiliating
present participle
verb
Synonym Usage
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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humiliationnoun
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humiliatornoun
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rehumiliateverb (used with object)
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humiliatedadjective
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humiliatingadjective
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humiliativeadjective
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humiliatoryadjective
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humiliatinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
humiliatesimple
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humiliatessimple
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have humiliatedperfect
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has humiliatedperfect
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am humiliatingprogressive
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are humiliatingprogressive
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is humiliatingprogressive
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have been humiliatingperfect progressive
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has been humiliatingperfect progressive
Past
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humiliatedsimple
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had humiliatedperfect
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was humiliatingprogressive
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were humiliatingprogressive
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had been humiliatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of humiliate
First recorded in 1525–35; from Late Latin humiliātus (past participle of humiliāre “to humble”), equivalent to Latin humili(s) humble + -ātus -ate 1
Explanation
Humiliate means to make someone feel ashamed or stupid, often publicly. It would humiliate all but the most self-assured person to realize that everyone else in the room has noticed their fly is down. For many, the experience of high school seems designed to humiliate teens––under the microscope of public scrutiny that is the high school community, every break up, every bad-hair day, every forgotten homework assignment humiliates kids in ways adults rarely understand.
Vocabulary lists containing humiliate
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"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney
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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.
See Examples For:
“The lesson of this relationship,” said Radchenko, “is that you don’t use your position as the senior partner to humiliate the junior partner.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
"They'd love to humiliate the Castros and get one of the original revolutionaries from 1959 behind bars. But the strategic value of that is questionable."
From BBC ● May 21, 2026
As Rue muses in a voiceover, she’s beautiful, directionless and “so desperate for attention she’s willing to humiliate herself.”
From Salon ● May 4, 2026
But no one here is out to humiliate anyone, which is nasty and unkind and not at all the sort of humor Lawrence trades in.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 8, 2026
The NSA insisted—then and always—that the raid was merely a routine matter, but Elizebeth and William believed it had been intended to humiliate and intimidate.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
Critics say Philips doesn't just challenge those beliefs - he humiliates the people who hold them.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Earlier in the film, Patrick also publicly humiliates himself for Kat by singing Frankie Valli's song, "Can't Take My Eyes off You" in front of the whole school.
From Salon ● Apr. 8, 2024
The league says its operations manual strictly prohibits bullying and hazing, which is defined as behavior that “harms, intimidates, offends, degrades, threatens, or humiliates another person or creates a risk to their health or safety.”
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 21, 2023
“It really humiliates the nay-sayers, who think it’s somehow OK for some people to get healthcare and others not,” Kidder said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 22, 2022
My mother’s anger humiliates me; her words chafe my cheeks, and I am crying.
From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
The world’s two most populous nations saw themselves as ancient civilizations humiliated by industrialized Western powers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
A staff union representative said "women were asked to leave their places of work" and felt "humiliated".
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
Now older, these women appear stronger and more introspective while revisiting how they were manipulated and humiliated for America’s entertainment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
Three wickets down inside 7.1 overs and with Imam-ul-Haq absent injured, Pakistan could have been humiliated had it not been for Shakeel.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026
But I was soaked and humiliated and furious.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
Captain Bruno Fernandes then took aim at Carrick's tactics following a humiliating 4-1 loss against Como in their next Champions League fixture.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026
Carrick's future at Old Trafford is uncertain after a humiliating defeat to Cesc Fabregas' Como in the Champions League earlier this week.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
However, the impact of even a botched attack on B-1 bombers would be humiliating for the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
In the aftermath of the Rams’ humiliating season-opening defeat in Australia, the team’s defense is dominating the news cycle: edge rusher Myles Garrett’s knee surgery, lineman Aaron Donald’s potential season debut.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
After his humiliating captivity ended, Atawallpa seems to have believed, the ground would be clear for his rule.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
