Humiliated Meaning, Examples & Usage Guide

Meaning 1：deeply embarrassed and ashamed (Humiliated)

Humiliated 🔊

/hjuːˈmɪliˌeɪtɪd/

adj.

To feel very ashamed and foolish, especially because you have been shown that you are weak or wrong in front of others.

Humiliated person on stage with red face and slumped shoulders

deeply embarrassed and ashamed 🔊

➕

/ˈdiːpli ɪmˈbær.əst ænd əˈʃeɪmd/

adj.

Feeling extreme shame and embarrassment, especially when one's weakness or failure is exposed in public.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'humiliare' (to lower), from 'humilis' (lowly), root 'humus' (earth).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine being so embarrassed you wish to sink into the 'humus' (ground).

📖 Example

When he forgot all his lines during the school play, he felt deeply humiliated in front of the whole audience. 🔊 He forgot his lines in the school play and felt very ashamed in front of everyone.

🔗 Collocations

feel humiliated – to experience humiliation

be deeply humiliated – to be extremely embarrassed and ashamed

humiliated in public – feeling shame when others witness one's failure

🔄 Synonyms

ashamed (adj.) – feeling shame or guilt about something

embarrassed (adj.) – feeling awkward or self-conscious, especially in a social situation

mortified (adj.) – feeling very embarrassed and ashamed

🚫 Antonyms

proud (adj.) – feeling pleased and satisfied about one's own achievements

honored (adj.) – being given respect or a privilege

confident (adj.) – feeling sure of oneself and one's abilities

🌱 Derivatives

humiliate (v.) – to cause someone to feel humiliated

humiliation (n.) – the feeling or experience of being humiliated

humiliating (adj.) – causing someone to feel humiliated

📖 Cultural Story

Origin from Latin 'humus' (ground). In ancient Rome, to be humiliated meant being forced to the ground in defeat, symbolizing loss of honor. Now used for public shame.