humiliated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "humiliated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of embarrassment or shame caused by somebody else—or your own—actions. Example: "She felt humiliated when her boss publicly berated her in front of the entire office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Parts of both cities have become a no-go zone for Iraq's beleaguered troops, who have been battered and humiliated by Isis, a group of marauders unparalleled in Mesopotamia since the time of the Mongols.

The Guardian

She found a common theme: "They start out feeling humiliated, enraged that they are viewed by some 'Other' as second class.

The Guardian

She says: "When I finally got off my bike, I felt mentally drained, humiliated, defeated and disappointed.

The Guardian

Since being humiliated 7-0 by the Nerazzurri, Eusebio Di Francesco's side have drawn with Napoli and now Lazio.

The Guardian - Sport

Liverpool were 5-0 down at half-time, utterly humiliated at the hands of a rampaging Stoke City, and, to put it bluntly, these are the sort of performances that see clubs and managers part company.

The Guardian - Sport

The Green leader was humiliated last Tuesday during an interview with LBC's Nick Ferrari, when she experienced what she later described as a "mind blank" and "brain fade".

The Guardian

In between, this frustrated fortysomething - disliked by his wife, scorned by his daughter, humiliated by his colleagues - undergoes a startling metamorphosis.

The Guardian - Film

Should we be laughing at Bubbles and Johnny when they are humiliated and stripped to their pants by Marlo's crew?

The Guardian

In the case of the racial hatred provisions, an aggrieved person is someone from the group targeted by the behaviour who is offended, insulted, humiliated or intimidated because of his or her race".

The Guardian

But as we saw on Friday night Manly were humiliated by an enthusiastic Eels, much to the delight of a bumper crowd.

The Guardian - Sport

Gordon distils the remarkable and at times unbelievable events of the last few months that have seen Iris Robinson, the first minister's wife, disgraced over her affair with her young lover and the loan she secured for him and Mr Robinson publicly humiliated over the betrayal and the ongoing allegations concerning the couple and their relationship with a number of multimillionaire builders.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "humiliated" to convey a strong feeling of shame and loss of dignity, typically resulting from someone else's actions or a public event. Choose this word when you want to emphasize the severity of the emotional impact.

Common error

Avoid using "humiliated" for minor embarrassments or simple mistakes. This word carries a strong connotation of profound shame and degradation; using it inappropriately can exaggerate the situation and sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

Adjective. "Humiliated" primarily functions as an adjective, describing the state of feeling intense shame or embarrassment. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in depicting the emotional aftermath of degrading experiences. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "humiliated" is a versatile adjective employed to articulate a profound sense of shame and disgrace. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is suitable for use in written English. It frequently surfaces in News & Media sources, underscoring incidents that cause significant emotional distress. While "ashamed", "mortified", and "degraded" offer related sentiments, "humiliated" specifically emphasizes a pronounced loss of dignity often stemming from external factors. Its widespread presence in reliable sources and its accurate depiction of emotional states solidifies its place in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

publicly shamed

Specifies that the humiliation occurred in a public setting.

lost face

Highlights the cultural aspect of losing respect or reputation.

deeply ashamed

Focuses more on the internal feeling of shame rather than the external act of humiliation.

utterly disgraced

Emphasizes the loss of honor and respect, often due to public exposure.

suffered indignity

Focuses on the experience of being treated without respect or dignity.

thoroughly mortified

Highlights the intense embarrassment and discomfort experienced.

felt belittled

Emphasizes the feeling of being made to seem unimportant or insignificant.

completely degraded

Stresses the reduction in status or moral character.

brought low

Implies a fall from a higher position or state of being.

was humbled

Suggests a more subdued feeling of being brought down, often implying a lesson learned.

FAQs

How to use "humiliated" in a sentence?

You can use "humiliated" to describe someone's feelings after a degrading experience. For example, "She felt "humiliated" when her private photos were leaked online."

What can I say instead of "humiliated"?

You can use alternatives like "ashamed", "mortified", or "degraded" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "humiliated" or "embarrassed"?

"Humiliated" and "embarrassed" both describe negative feelings, but "humiliated" implies a deeper sense of shame and loss of dignity compared to simply being "embarrassed".

What's the difference between "humiliated" and "shamed"?

"Humiliated" often involves an external act that causes someone to feel deeply ashamed, while "shamed" can refer to an internal feeling or an action taken to make someone feel ashamed. The source of the feeling differs, though the emotions are similar.