Humiliating
hjuːˈmɪlɪeɪtɪŋ
Definitions
Causing a person to feel shame and loss of dignity.
hjuːˈmɪlɪeɪtɪŋ
Causing someone to feel ashamed and foolish by injuring their dignity and self-respect.
Losing the game in front of the whole crowd was a humiliating experience.
💡 Simply: Imagine you trip and fall in front of everyone. That awkward, embarrassing feeling? That's what 'humiliating' describes.
👶 For kids: When something makes you feel really, really embarrassed, like if you had to wear your underwear outside your clothes at school.
More Examples
She found the public criticism of her work deeply humiliating.
The company's actions were seen as a humiliating display of power.
How It's Used
"The humiliating experience left him with deep psychological scars."
"The team suffered a humiliating defeat in the championship game."
"The treaty imposed humiliating terms on the defeated nation."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
to eat humble pie
To admit one's error and apologize humbly, often after being proven wrong.
"After initially dismissing the evidence, he had to eat humble pie and admit he was wrong."
From Latin *humiliatus*, past participle of *humiliare* 'to humble,' from *humilis* 'low, humble.'
The word's use in the 17th and 18th centuries often related to religious contexts, referring to actions that diminished one's spiritual standing.
Memory tip
Think of a *humble* person being *humiliatingly* treated, causing them embarrassment.
Word Origin
"To make humble, to lower"