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Mortified Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜ณ
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mortified

[หˆmษ”หtษชfaษชd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Feeling extremely embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated.

Synonyms

ashamed, embarrassed, humiliated.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mortified

Used when someone feels extreme embarrassment, often to the point of being deeply affected emotionally. This word is quite strong.

  • She was mortified when she realized she had forgotten her speech
embarrassed

Used when someone feels awkward or uncomfortable in a social situation. This emotion is typically less intense than 'mortified'.

  • I was embarrassed when I tripped in front of everyone
ashamed

Used when someone feels guilt or regret about something they have done or failed to do. It implies a sense of moral or social wrongdoing.

  • He felt ashamed for lying to his friend
humiliated

Used when someone feels a deep sense of shame or loss of dignity, often because of the actions or words of others. This term usually has strong negative connotations.

  • She felt humiliated after being scolded in front of her classmates

Examples of usage

  • I was mortified when I realized I had been talking loudly on the phone in a quiet library.
  • She was mortified when she tripped and spilled her drink all over herself at the party.
Context #2 | Adjective

reaction

Causing someone to feel extremely embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated.

Synonyms

embarrassing, humiliating, shameful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mortified

This word is best used when someone feels extremely embarrassed or ashamed, often because of something highly personal or socially awkward.

  • She was mortified when her parents started talking about her childhood nicknames in front of her friends
embarrassing

This word works well for general situations where someone feels awkward or uneasy, but not necessarily to an extreme degree.

  • It was embarrassing when I tripped and fell in front of everyone at the meeting
shameful

This word is used to describe actions or behaviors that are morally wrong or deserving of disapproval, often causing one to feel disgrace.

  • Cheating on the exam was a shameful act that she deeply regretted
humiliating

This term is suitable for situations where someone feels deeply ashamed, degraded, or devalued, often because of a public incident. It carries a more intense negative connotation.

  • Being scolded by the teacher in front of the entire class was a humiliating experience for him

Examples of usage

  • His mortified expression showed that he regretted his insensitive comment.
  • The mortified look on her face indicated that she had just made a big mistake.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Feeling mortified can trigger the body's 'fight or flight' response, as the brain perceives embarrassment as a social threat.
  • Chronic feelings of mortification can lead to social anxiety, affecting everyday interactions.
  • It helps to connect with others over shared embarrassing moments, as laughter can relieve feelings of stress.

Pop Culture

  • The word often appears in coming-of-age movies, like 'The Diary of a Wimpy Kid', highlighting the awkwardness of adolescence.
  • In stand-up comedy, comedians often share mortifying experiences to connect with their audience, creating humor out of embarrassment.
  • Television shows frequently portray the characterโ€™s mortification as a source of comic relief or character development.

Literature

  • In Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice', characters experience mortification in social settings, reflecting social norms of their time.
  • Many coming-of-age novels highlight characters' struggles with mortification as they navigate self-identity and acceptance.
  • The use of mortification as a theme in poetry often explores the depth of human emotion related to personal failure.

Social Dynamics

  • Mortification can vary across cultures; in some, public embarrassment can lead to community support, while in others it can create social stigma.
  • Interactions in the digital age can amplify feelings of mortification, as social media allows for rapid sharing of embarrassing moments.
  • Mortified feelings often unite individuals, leading to shared stories and experiences that foster closer bonds among friends.

Origin of 'mortified'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'mortificare', which means 'to death' or 'to kill'.
  • In historical contexts, it was used to describe a sense of humiliation so intense that it felt like a little part of you had 'died'.
  • It evolved over time to reflect feelings related to embarrassment, increasing its usage in social contexts.

The word 'mortified' originated from the Latin word 'mortificare' which means 'to put to death' or 'to kill'. Over time, the meaning of 'mortified' evolved to convey a sense of extreme embarrassment or shame. The term has been used in English language to describe feelings of humiliation or causing someone to feel embarrassed since the early 17th century.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,646, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.