humiliation
Americannoun
-
an act or instance of humiliating or being humiliated.
-
the state or feeling of being humiliated; mortification.
- Synonyms:
- dishonor, degradation
Related Words
See shame.
Other Word Forms
- rehumiliation noun
- self-humiliation noun
Etymology
Origin of humiliation
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin humiliātiōn- (stem of humiliātiō ). See humiliate, -ion
Explanation
Humiliation describes a strong feeling of embarrassment or mortification — like that time in sixth grade when your mother wiped your face and called you "honey bunny" in front of all your friends. Humiliation comes from the Latin word humiliare, which means "to humble." So if you are caught in a situation that causes humiliation, you are humbled — with a loss of self-esteem and self-respect. If you become a politician, for example, and you campaign on a platform of family values, don't get caught cheating on your spouse; the public humiliation may be enough to drive you out of politics.
Vocabulary lists containing humiliation
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 1–6
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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.
According to notes recorded by John Coles, Thatcher's private secretary, Reagan's view and that of the president of Brazil was that "the best chance for peace was before complete Argentine humiliation".
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
Mavromatis says she has suffered "mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment" and "damage to her emotional and psychological well-being" due to "MrBeast's conduct and the adverse employment actions".
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
Maybe it was the underbelly of all of the bravado and power-seeking—some desire to counter all the validation with the humiliation of knowing that, deep down, he’s just a revolting little worm.
From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026
The characters she plays in that show and in this film are financially cosseted but psychologically adrift, bumping along from one middle-aged frustration, or humiliation, to the next.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
Papa would accept any humiliation or pain or risk any scandal to get some rice and bacon grease.
From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
