verb

humiliate

to humiliate, to embarrass, to shame

He tried to humiliate her in front of her friends.

He tried to humiliate her in front of her friends.

I felt so humiliated when I forgot my lines.

I felt so humiliated when I forgot my lines.

((sb.)) to make (sb.) feel ashamed or stupid She was afraid he would humiliate her.

to feel humiliated to feel ashamed or stupid He felt humiliated by their laughter.

Synonyms: embarrass, disgrace, shame; Antonyms: honor, praise

From Latin 'humiliare' (to humble), from 'humilis' (low, humble), which comes from 'humus' (earth, ground). It means to bring someone 'down to the ground'.

Think of being brought down to the 'humus' (earth/ground), feeling very low and shamed.

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