provoke humiliation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provoke humiliation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action or behavior that causes someone to feel humiliated or embarrassed. Example: "His harsh criticism was intended to provoke humiliation in front of their peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The raids provoke humiliation, anger, and nationalism among Pakistanis, never a good combination.

The New Yorker

Trainee interrogators were told they should aim to provoke humiliation, disorientation, exhaustion, anxiety and fear in the prisoners they are questioning.

The Guardian

Litigation by lawyers for detainees and their families contended that army training procedures throughout the British military role in Iraq sanctioned interrogation techniques that included threats, sensory deprivation and enforced nakedness, and that trainee interrogators were told that they should aim to provoke humiliation, disorientation, exhaustion and fear.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We know the impact of the Cost of Living Crisis on adults: debt, hunger and going-without causes them stress and ill-health, and provokes shame and humiliation.

The Guardian

The year before, the town hired a new superintendent, Ronald Ross, the first black chief administrator in the city's history; he seized on the dreadful statistics and the sense of anger and humiliation they provoked as a lever to force change in the schools.

The New York Times - Magazine

Gorbachev and Yeltsin are seen by an overwhelming majority as historical disasters who provoked decline, collapse, chaos, and humiliation before the triumphal West.

The New Yorker

That India cannot match its organisational prowess will provoke much hand-wringing about national humiliation and the bloodiness of democracy and how it stops anything getting done.

The Economist

This affair, known as the Battle of Pulo Aura, was a humiliation for Linois and provoked Napoleon's fury when the Emperor was informed of it by the governor of Île de France, Charles Decaen.

Wikipedia

People are afraid that satire, precisely because it causes us to laugh, causes humiliation, which in turn may provoke anger or even violence.

Huffington Post

Thus, a victim of bullying may not only repeatedly experience situations of abuse, humiliation and frustration, that may provoke helpless anger and depression and give way to thoughts of violence, but may also feel generally excluded and rejected by a majority of his or her peers.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

In Observer Magazine, in what she says will be the last interview she ever gives, Caplin talks candidly about the "hurt and humiliation" caused by media stories provoked by her role at the Blairs' side in Downing Street.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provoke humiliation" when you want to emphasize the act of deliberately causing someone to feel deeply ashamed or degraded, often in a public context.

Common error

Avoid using "provoke humiliation" when the situation only involves mild embarrassment or annoyance. This phrase is more appropriate for situations involving deliberate acts designed to cause deep shame.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke humiliation" functions as a verb phrase, where "provoke" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("humiliation"). It describes the action of causing or eliciting a state of shame or degradation. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is used in contexts involving deliberate actions intended to inflict emotional distress.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "provoke humiliation" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the act of causing someone to feel deeply ashamed or degraded. Ludwig shows that this phrase is predominantly used in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and general knowledge sources. While "provoke humiliation" is not exceedingly common, its precise meaning makes it suitable for describing deliberate actions intended to cause shame. Consider alternatives like "cause humiliation" or "induce shame" to ensure the best fit for your specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause humiliation

Focuses on the direct action of causing humiliation, using a more general verb.

induce shame

Replaces "humiliation" with "shame", highlighting the feeling of deep embarrassment.

instigate embarrassment

Uses "instigate" to emphasize the initiation of the feeling, and replaces "humiliation" with "embarrassment".

elicit degradation

Replaces "humiliation" with "degradation", suggesting a more severe form of disrespect.

spark mortification

Emphasizes a sudden and intense feeling of shame with "mortification".

trigger disgrace

Highlights the public aspect of shame using "disgrace".

generate ignominy

Uses a more formal term, "ignominy", for deep public shame and dishonor.

foment dishonor

Replaces "humiliation" with "dishonor", suggesting a loss of reputation.

precipitate chagrin

Uses "precipitate" to suggest a quick onset, and "chagrin" to describe disappointment mixed with embarrassment.

stir up abasement

Replaces "humiliation" with "abasement" to highlight the lowering of one's self-esteem.

FAQs

How can I use "provoke humiliation" in a sentence?

Use "provoke humiliation" to describe an action that deliberately causes someone to feel ashamed or degraded. For example, "The dictator used public shaming to "provoke humiliation" among his opponents".

What are some alternatives to "provoke humiliation"?

You can use alternatives like "cause humiliation", "induce shame", or "instigate embarrassment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "provoke humiliation" and "cause embarrassment"?

"Provoke humiliation" implies a more deliberate and intentional action aimed at causing deep shame, while "cause embarrassment" can refer to unintentional or milder forms of discomfort. The level of intention and severity of the feeling are key differences.

Is it appropriate to use "provoke humiliation" in formal writing?

Yes, "provoke humiliation" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing situations involving power dynamics, political actions, or psychological manipulation, where the intent to cause deep shame is relevant.