mortifying

adjective

mor·​ti·​fy·​ing ˈmȯr-tə-ˌfī-iŋ How to pronounce mortifying (audio)
Synonyms of mortifyingnext
: causing feelings of strong shame or embarrassment
a mortifying experience
They would tell each other secrets that no one else would hear, they would discuss sex in a way that would be mortifying in other company.—Richard Flaste
mortifyingly adverb
The document deluge has offered plenty of mortifyingly frank appraisals of foreign leaders … —Hendrik Hertzberg

Examples of mortifying in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And what could be more mortifying than getting lower ratings than your mother? — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 2026 There was once a time when a visible slip was considered a mortifying fashion faux pas. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 July 2026 The answer might be a mortifying surprise. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025 The second, a 2-1 home defeat, was mortifying. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for mortifying

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mortifying was in 1833

Rhymes for mortifying

See All Rhymes for mortifying

Browse Nearby Words

mortify
mortifying
mortifyingly
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Cite this Entry

“Mortifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortifying. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mortifying

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mortifying

Nglish: Translation of mortifying for Spanish Speakers

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