Humiliate

/hjuːˈmɪl.i.eɪt/

Meaning & Definition

verb
To make (someone) feel ashamed and foolish by injuring their dignity and self-respect.
The teacher humiliated the student in front of the class for not completing his homework.
To lower in dignity or self-respect.
He felt humiliated after being criticized publicly for his mistakes.
To expose to shame or disgrace.
The scandal humiliated the entire organization.
To defeat someone thoroughly, particularly in a way that causes embarrassment.
The rival team humiliated us with a score of 10-0.

Etymology

From Latin 'humilitas', meaning 'humility, lowliness'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

humiliate someone
To make someone feel ashamed or embarrassed usually in public.
self-humiliation
The act of causing one's own shame or embarrassment.
humiliate oneself
To act in a way that brings shame upon oneself.

Related Words

humiliation
The feeling of being humiliated.
humble
Having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance.
humility
The quality of being humble.

Slang Meanings

Roasted
He got roasted in front of everyone, it was humiliating.
Savaged
She was savaged online, and it was truly humiliating.