mortify

[mawr-tuh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

mortified, mortifying 

1. to humiliate or shame, as by injury to one's pride or self-respect.

   Synonyms: abase, humble

2. to subjugate (the body, passions, etc.) by abstinence, ascetic discipline, or self-inflicted suffering.

   Synonyms: restrain, subdue

3. Pathology.,  to affect with gangrene or necrosis.

verb (used without object)

mortified, mortifying 

1. to practice mortification or disciplinary austerities.

2. Pathology.,  to undergo mortification; become gangrened or necrosed.

mortify

/ ˈmɔːtɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to humiliate or cause to feel shame

2. (tr) Christianity to subdue and bring under control by self-denial, disciplinary exercises, etc

3. (intr) to undergo tissue death or become gangrenous

Other Word Forms

• mortifier noun
• mortifyingly adverb
• premortify verb (used with object)
• mortifying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mortify¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English mortifien, from Middle French mortifier, from Late Latin mortificāre “to put to death,” equivalent to Latin morti- (stem of mors ) “death” + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of mortify¹

C14: via Old French from Church Latin mortificāre to put to death, from Latin mors death + facere to do

Synonym Study

See ashamed.

Example Sentences

We gave in to my husband and allowed pineapple and jalapeños on half although we were mortified.

From Los Angeles Times

"I began ticcing and shouting and I was absolutely mortified," John says.

From BBC

Mr Holliday used to really embarrass me because I would play with the boys and girls in school and he would tell all the boys to pass to me, but that was mortifying for me.

From BBC

The play, which is having its Los Angeles premiere at Pasadena Playhouse, seems like it could have been commissioned to skewer this destructive, benighted and completely mortifying anti-science moment.

From Los Angeles Times

"With police tents all around it, it looked more like a murder scene than the place of safety it had always been for me. I was devastated, mortified, confused and terrified."

From BBC

Related Words

• annoy 
• chagrin 
• confound 
• deflate 
• disgrace 
• displease 
• embarrass 
• humiliate 
• subdue 
• vex 

When To Use

What does mortify mean?

Mortify means to humiliate or embarrass in an extreme way.You know when you do something so unbearably embarrassing that you just want to shrivel up and die? That’s what it’s like to feel mortified. Which is fitting because the word comes from a root meaning “death.”Things that are humiliating or extremely embarrassing can be described as mortifying. This feeling of humiliation or extreme embarrassment can be called mortification.Mortify can also be used in a way that relates to literal death. In medical terms, to mortify is to undergo mortification—the death of one part of the body while the rest of the body is alive. This is more technically called gangrene or necrosis.Mortify is also used (less commonly) in a religious context, in which it means to  practice ascetic self-discipline with the goal of strengthening one’s will and overcoming the desire to sin. In Christianity, forms of mortification include things like fasting. In some extreme cases, especially in older times, it has included things like self-flagellation—whipping oneself.Example: Even when I do my best not to embarrass my kids, I still end up mortifying them on most occasions.