MORTIFYING Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

mortifying 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of mortifying

as in humiliating

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Dissimilar Words

mortifying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of mortify

as in embarrassing

to throw into a state of self-conscious distress was mortified by her children's atrocious manners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mortifying

Adjective

There was once a time when a visible slip was considered a mortifying fashion faux pas. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 July 2026 Iran got the United States to sign a document that even Americans described as degrading, mortifying, a total capitulation. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026

Verb

The graduation ceremony and the reception afterward are cute and heartwarming for the grown-ups, bittersweet and mortifying for the kids, who skive off to smoke some of Ed’s high-test weed and have a little Texas Forever moment, toasting their enduring friendships. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026 Classmates saw the sign while riding by Goepper’s home on the school bus, mortifying the teenage Goepper. — Sean Gregory, Time, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mortifying

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortifying

Adjective

Of course, there’s a difference between deliberately humiliating or excluding a child, and simply inviting your child’s actual friends to their birthday party.

— Caroline Chirichella, Parents, 27 Aug. 2026
But if the big spending was a statement of intent, this was another humiliating blow.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of humiliating

Verb

The comprehensive regimen is meant to uncover any prior criminal conduct in an applicant’s past as well as embarrassing personal information that could make an employee vulnerable to blackmail.

— Eric Tucker, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Since then, Hochman has been slammed for playing politics, embarrassing his office and even backing down for no reason other than the pressure was too intense.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Adjective

By suggesting that Black women would willingly place their own children in mortal danger for profit, such narratives provided yet another means of humiliating, degrading and dehumanizing African Americans.

— The Conversation, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
With fracking — which is already outlawed on offshore platforms in California waters, and is widely viewed as an environmentally degrading and often risky process — Gilda’s production would jump to about 4,000 barrels a day.

— Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of degrading

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mortify

mortifying

mortuary

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“Mortifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortifying. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mortifying

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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