humiliatory
Definition
Adjective: "Humiliatory" describes something that causes someone to feel ashamed, embarrassed, or stripped of dignity; it is a synonym for "humiliating."
Usage Examples
- (The remarks caused him to feel ashamed and embarrassed.)
- (The scolding was severely embarrassing and degrading.)
Advanced Usage
- "humiliatory experience": an event that causes significant loss of self-respect.
- Losing the championship in such a one-sided match was a humiliatory experience for the team. (The defeat was deeply embarrassing.)
Variants and Related Words
Humiliate (verb): to make someone feel ashamed or foolish.
- They tried to humiliate him by pointing out his mistakes. (They attempted to embarrass him.)
Humiliation (noun): the state or feeling of being humiliated.
- The humiliation of being fired in front of colleagues was unbearable. (The feeling of shame was intense.)
Humiliating (adjective): causing humiliation; more common than "humiliatory."
- It was a humiliating defeat. (The defeat was shameful.)
Synonyms
- Embarrassing: causing a feeling of self-consciousness or shame.
- Degrading: causing a loss of self-respect or dignity.
- Shameful: deserving or causing shame.
Related Idioms
To eat humble pie: to admit one's error and apologize humbly.
- After his incorrect prediction, he had to eat humble pie. (He had to admit his mistake and feel embarrassed.)
To lose face: to be humiliated or lose respect.
- The manager lost face when his plan failed publicly. (He was humiliated in front of others.)