humiliate

[hyoo-mil-ee-eyt, yoo-]

verb (used with object)

humiliated, humiliating 

1. to cause (a person) a painful loss of pride, self-respect, or dignity.

   Synonyms: debase, abase, degrade, degrade, shame, mortify, disgrace, disgrace, dishonor
   Antonyms: elevate, exalt, dignify

humiliate

/ hjuːˈmɪlɪˌeɪt, hjuːˈmɪljətɪv /

verb

1. (tr) to lower or hurt the dignity or pride of

Other Word Forms

• humiliator noun
• humiliatory adjective
• humiliative adjective
• rehumiliate verb (used with object)
• humiliated adjective
• humiliation noun
• humiliatingly adverb
• humiliating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of humiliate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Late Latin humiliātus (past participle of humiliāre “to humble”), equivalent to Latin humili(s) humble + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of humiliate¹

C16: from Late Latin humiliāre, from Latin humilis _humble

Synonym Study

See ashamed, humbled.

Example Sentences

Begging to work is a humiliating, not to mention deeply unnatural, state.

From Salon

Nine Swiss nationals who returned to Geneva on Sunday also complained about what they called the "inhumane detention conditions and the humiliating and degrading treatment", Reuters news agency cited a statement as saying.

From BBC

"It's scary. It's humiliating when the freedom is taken away from you," he recalls.

From BBC

The dramatic but highly produced scenes in the video prompted condemnation online, with social media users calling it dystopian and "humiliating".

From BBC

There does seem to be a supportive cohort of disgruntled Labour MPs, particularly among the 130-strong group who rebelled over welfare reforms and forced Downing Street into a humiliating 11th-hour U-turn.

From BBC

Related Words

• confuse 
• crush 
• degrade 
• demean 
• depress 
• disgrace 
• humble 
• shame 
• snub 
• subdue