English Dictionary
Definition of “humiliate”
humiliate (hjuːˈmɪlɪˌeɪt
)
Definitions
verb
- (tr) to lower or hurt the dignity or pride of
Alternative Forms
huˈmiliˌated adjective huˈmiliˌating adjective huˈmiliˌatingly adverb huˌmiliˈation noun humiliative (hjuːˈmɪljətɪv) adjective huˈmiliˌator noun huˈmiliatory adjective Word Origin
C16: from Late Latin humiliāre, from Latin humilishumble
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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embarrass,
shame,
humble,
crush,
disgrace,
put down,
subdue,
degrade,
chagrin,
chasten,
mortify,
debase,
discomfit,
bring low put (someone) in their place
take the wind out of someone's sails,
abase,
take down a peg
abash,
make (someone) eat humble pie
Usage examples
sadists, bullies, men on power trips, men anxious to humiliate.
Weldon, Fay, Splitting (1995)Sometimes, the deterrent is to humiliate the person in public in the hope that he will quit.
India Today (1996)Sinn Fein insists Paisley, a past vocal opponent of power-sharing, wants photos of IRA disarmament to humiliate the secret group.
canada.com (2004)Jeremy, from London's Capital FM, said: `We do not set out to humiliate by setting people against each other.
Sun, News of the World (2005)The only time we can question the profit motive is when the outcome will be to degrade or humiliate , just to gain money.
Hodgkinson, Liz, Psychic Counselling (1994)
