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humiliate

verb

/hjʊˈmɪlɪeɪt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of humiliate

To cause someone to feel ashamed, embarrassed, or degraded.
"The bully would humiliate weaker students in front of their peers."

Detailed meaning of humiliate

This can be done in various ways, such as through public criticism, ridicule, or mockery. Humiliation can be intentional or unintentional and can occur in different contexts, including personal relationships, social situations, or professional settings. The act of humiliating someone often involves a power dynamic, where the person causing the humiliation has a higher status or authority than the person being humiliated. Humiliation can have long-lasting effects on a person's self-esteem and mental well-being, and it can also damage relationships and social interactions. Overall, the term "humiliate" suggests a deliberate or unintentional attempt to belittle or shame someone, causing them emotional distress and discomfort.

Example sentences containing humiliate

1. The boss would humiliate employees in public to assert dominance.
2. The prankster would humiliate their friends with embarrassing practical jokes.
3. The judge would humiliate the defendant during cross-examination.
4. The older siblings would humiliate their younger brother by mocking his interests.
5. The teacher would humiliate students who couldn't answer a question correctly.
6. The rival team would humiliate their opponents with a lopsided victory.

History and etymology of humiliate

The verb 'humiliate' has its origins in the Latin word 'humiliare,' which is derived from 'humilis,' meaning 'low' or 'humble.' In ancient Rome, 'humiliare' referred to the act of lowering or reducing someone's social status, often as a form of punishment or degradation. This sense of diminishing someone's standing in society eventually evolved into the modern meaning of causing someone to feel ashamed, embarrassed, or degraded. The etymology of 'humiliate' reflects the concept of reducing someone to a lower or more humble state, capturing the essence of the emotional and social impact that humiliation has on an individual.

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Further usage examples of humiliate

1. The gossip columnist would humiliate celebrities through scandalous stories.
2. The politician would humiliate their opponents with personal attacks during debates.
3. The coach would humiliate players for making mistakes during games.
4. The reality TV show would humiliate contestants with humiliating challenges.
5. The comedian would humiliate audience members through playful banter.
6. The social media influencer would humiliate their followers by publicly shaming them.
7. The salesperson would humiliate customers who couldn't afford luxury items.
8. The drill sergeant would humiliate recruits to toughen them up during training.
9. The popular clique would humiliate outsiders to maintain their status.
10. The talk show host would humiliate guests with probing and personal questions.
11. The internet troll would humiliate strangers online for their own amusement.
12. The beauty pageant judge would humiliate contestants by criticizing their appearance.
13. The alpha wolf would humiliate subordinate pack members to establish dominance.
14. The cruel prank was meant to humiliate her in front of everyone.
15. His hurtful comments never failed to humiliate his coworkers.
16. She decided not to humiliate him further, choosing kindness instead.
17. Public speaking used to humiliate him, but he's improved greatly.
18. Bullying can humiliate its victims and leave lasting scars.
19. The boss's scolding seemed designed to humiliate the employee.
20. Social media can be a platform to humiliate or uplift others.
21. Their goal was to humiliate their rivals in the competition.
22. He regretted his choice to humiliate his friend at the party.
23. The gossip spread like wildfire, threatening to humiliate her.
24. She used humor to diffuse the situation, avoiding humiliation.