Humiliate: meaning, definitions and examples

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humiliate

[hjuːˈmɪlɪeɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in a social setting

To humiliate someone is to make them feel ashamed and foolish, often in front of others. It involves demeaning and degrading someone in a way that damages their self-esteem.

Synonyms

degrade, disgrace, embarrass, shame.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
humiliate	Use this word when someone is made to feel very embarrassed or ashamed, often in front of others. It's a strong word and usually implies a deep emotional impact. He was humiliated in front of the entire class when the teacher scolded him.
embarrass	Use this word for situations that cause someone to feel awkward or uncomfortable, usually in social situations. It's less severe than 'humiliate'. She was embarrassed when she spilled coffee on her shirt during the meeting.
shame	This word is used for making someone feel guilty or inferior because they have done something wrong or socially unacceptable. It has a moral or ethical implication. She felt shamed by her family's disappointment in her choices.
disgrace	This word applies when someone loses respect or honor, often publicly. It often implies that the person or their actions are shameful. The politician was disgraced after the scandal was revealed.
degrade	This word is used when someone is treated with a lack of respect, often reducing their dignity and self-worth. It has a strong negative connotation. The manager's remarks degraded his employees, making them feel worthless.

Examples of usage

She felt humiliated when her boss criticized her in front of her colleagues.
He humiliated his opponent with his superior skills in the game.
The bully's actions were aimed at humiliating his classmates.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

in a personal relationship

To humiliate someone in a personal relationship is to hurt their feelings deeply, causing emotional pain and damage to the relationship.

Synonyms

betray, hurt, offend, upset.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
humiliate	When you want to describe making someone feel deeply embarrassed or ashamed, often publicly. He humiliated her in front of the entire class by pointing out her mistakes
hurt	When referring to causing physical pain or emotional pain. He accidentally hurt his friend’s feelings by forgetting their birthday
offend	This is used when causing someone to feel resentment, anger, or hurt, often because of something said or done. His rude comment about her appearance offended many people
upset	Used to describe making someone feel anxious, unhappy, or disturbed. Losing his job really upset him
betray	When you describe someone breaking trust or loyalty, revealing secrets or turning against someone. She felt utterly betrayed when her best friend shared her secret with others

Examples of usage

She was humiliated by her partner's public display of anger towards her.
He never intended to humiliate her, but his words had a lasting impact.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Latin 'humiliare' which means 'to make low', showing the idea of lowering someone’s dignity.
In Latin, 'humilis' means 'lowly,' connecting the act of humiliation to a loss of status or self-esteem.

Psychology

Humiliation can lead to long-lasting emotional effects, such as anxiety and depression, as it challenges an individual’s self-worth.
Experiencing humiliation can sometimes result in aggressive behavior, as people may react defensively when they feel belittled.

Literature

Many classic works, like Shakespeare's plays, explore themes of humiliation, often highlighting the destructive impact it has on characters.
In contemporary novels, characters may struggle with feelings of humiliation, which is a common theme in coming-of-age stories.

Cultural Perspectives

In some cultures, public shaming was historically used as a social tool, reflecting how humiliation varies in significance across societies.
Modern social media has transformed humiliation into a phenomenon called 'cancel culture,' where public opinion can rapidly ostracize individuals.

Translations

Translations of the word "humiliate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 humilhar

🇮🇳 अपमानित करना

🇩🇪 demütigen

🇮🇩 menghina

🇺🇦 принижувати

🇵🇱 upokarzać

🇯🇵 屈辱を与える

🇫🇷 humilier

🇪🇸 humillar

🇹🇷 aşağılamak

🇰🇷 굴욕감을 주다

🇸🇦 إذلال

🇨🇿 ponížit

🇸🇰 ponížiť

🇨🇳 羞辱

🇸🇮 ponižati

🇮🇸 niðurlægja

🇰🇿 қорлау

🇬🇪 დამცირება

🇦🇿 alçaltmaq

🇲🇽 humillar

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,888, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
23885 gramophone
23886 winnings
23887 uninhibited
23888 humiliate
23889 jumbled
23890 insistently
23891 improbability
...