### Definition
To **humiliate** means to cause someone to feel deep embarrassment, shame, or a loss of dignity.
### Synonyms
Terms with similar meaning include:
- Bemean
- Bring down
- Bring low
- Cast down
- Cut down to size
- Make a fool of
- Make ashamed
- Play down
- Put out of countenance
- Put to shame
These words share the sense of making someone feel inferior or reducing their pride.
### Antonyms
Opposite in meaning are words such as:
- Honor
- Respect
- Uplift
- Praise
- Encourage
- Glorify
- Celebrate
They emphasize restoring dignity or raising someone’s esteem rather than diminishing it.
### Usage Example
> “The unfair comment in front of the crowd served only to humiliate him, turning a private mistake into public embarrassment.”
### Related Contexts
The word is often used in emotional, social, or interpersonal situations — such as in workplaces, relationships, or public settings — when someone’s self-respect is intentionally or unintentionally attacked.
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**Author’s summary:** The term *humiliate* relates to actions or situations that cause someone to lose respect or dignity, while its opposites restore honor and elevate the spirit.
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Thesaurus.com — 2025-11-30