a source of humiliation

USAGE SUMMARY

"a source of humiliation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that causes embarrassment or shame. For example: "Failing the exam was a source of humiliation for him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The man whom he idolized had become a source of humiliation and grief.

The New Yorker

But the incident was a source of humiliation for Martoma and for his family, and it became a closely held secret.

The New Yorker

The Bunga Bungas are a source of humiliation for many Italians, and of humor for others, including the Presidente, as Berlusconi is called.

The New Yorker

Suddenly, playing like a girl isn't a source of humiliation in certain athlete demographics where the men are open-minded and old attitudes are disposable.

The New York Times - Sports

What she hadn't counted on was that the stream would move once it was on the floor, and that everyone would know, and that it would be a source of humiliation for years to come.

The New Yorker

For Africa in particular, most of which has been independent for more than four decades, colonialism remains a source of humiliation and resentment and the cause of deep-seated inferiority complexes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The walls of Dad's office were adorned with my artwork (his favorite, later a source of deep humiliation for me, was a pink stick figure holding a fish, which I had provocatively titled "Naked Girl With Fish").

The New York Times

To a nation with our overwhelming conventional military superiority, that should be a source of national humiliation.

Huffington Post

What the audience knows, but the family does not, is that Sophie can't read – a source of daily humiliations.

The Guardian - Film

For 46 years the bridge connecting the West Bank with Jordan has been a source of hardships, humiliations and extremely long and unnecessary delays, not to mention cumbersome and exaggerated body and baggage searches.

Huffington Post

It was a great source of humiliation".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a source of humiliation" to precisely describe something that causes a feeling of shame, disgrace, or foolishness. Ensure the context clearly indicates who is experiencing the humiliation and why.

Common error

Avoid using "a source of humiliation" when describing mild embarrassment. Reserve it for situations involving significant shame or loss of dignity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a source of humiliation" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a predicate nominative or object complement, describing what something is or what it has become. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in real-world contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a source of humiliation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the cause of shame or disgrace. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and appropriate across various contexts. It's most commonly found in news and media sources, highlighting its relevance in describing events that lead to feelings of humiliation. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants the strong negative connotation and clearly identifies who is experiencing the humiliation. Consider alternatives like "a cause for embarrassment" or "a reason for shame" for less intense situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reason for shame

Substitutes 'humiliation' with 'shame', emphasizing the feeling of disgrace.

a cause for embarrassment

Replaces 'humiliation' with a more general term 'embarrassment', lessening the intensity.

a matter of disgrace

Emphasizes the dishonorable aspect of the situation.

a point of mortification

Uses a more formal term, 'mortification', for intense shame and embarrassment.

something deeply embarrassing

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the feeling of deep embarrassment.

an object of ridicule

Shifts focus from the feeling to being the target of mockery.

a trigger for humiliation

Highlights the causative aspect, something that initiates the feeling of humiliation.

a factor inducing shame

More descriptive and formal alternative, highlighting the cause-effect relationship.

a humiliating experience

Shifts the focus from the source to the experience itself.

a blot on one's reputation

Focuses on the damage to one's reputation caused by the humiliating event.

FAQs

How can I use "a source of humiliation" in a sentence?

You can use "a source of humiliation" to describe something that causes someone to feel ashamed or disgraced. For example, "His public failure became "a source of humiliation" for his entire family."

What's a less formal way to say "a source of humiliation"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, consider using phrases like "embarrassing", "shameful", or "mortifying" depending on the intensity you want to convey. For example, failing the audition was simply "embarrassing", not necessarily "a source of humiliation".

What words are similar to "a source of humiliation"?

Similar terms include "a cause for embarrassment", "a reason for shame", or "an object of ridicule". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to express.

Is it always negative to be "a source of humiliation"?

Yes, the phrase "a source of humiliation" always carries a negative connotation. It implies that something is causing someone to feel shame, disgrace, or a deep sense of embarrassment.