Humiliation

Definition

Humiliation is a noun that describes a strong feeling of embarrassment or mortification as a result of some wound to pride, self-respect, or dignity.

Parts of Speech

Humiliation is primarily used as a noun.

Pronunciation

• American English: /hjuːˌmɪl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/ (hyoo-mil-ee-AY-shuhn)
• British English: /hjuːˌmɪl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/ (hyoo-mil-ee-AY-shuhn)

Etymology

The word "humiliation" comes from the Late Latin word "humiliatio," which is derived from the verb "humiliare," meaning 'to humble.' The Latin verb is itself a derivative of "humilis" ('low,' 'humble'), which ultimately stems from "humus" ('ground,' 'earth').

Derivatives

• Humiliate (verb)
• Humiliating (adjective)
• Humiliatory (adjective)
• Humiliatingly (adverb)

Synonyms

• Embarrassment
• Mortification
• Degradation

Antonyms

• Honor
• Respect
• Dignity

Usage

The noun "humiliation" is used to express a severe loss of pride, dignity, or self-respect, often in public contexts. For example: "The team faced humiliation after their crushing defeat in the championship game."

Related Terms

• Self-humiliation
• Public humiliation

Detailed Definition

"Humiliation" is used as a noun with the following meanings:

• The act of making someone feel ashamed and foolish by injuring their dignity and pride:
• "He suffered extreme humiliation when his private emails were made public."
• The state of being humbled or reduced in esteem or dignity:
• "The public scandal led to his humiliation and eventual resignation from office."

In essence, "humiliation" refers to a strong feeling of shame or embarrassment. It is most often experienced when someone's dignity or self-respect has been damaged, often in a public or demeaning manner.

‍