MORTIFY Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

mortify

verb

ˈmȯr-tə-ˌfī

Definition of mortify

as in to embarrass

to throw into a state of self-conscious distress was mortified by her children's atrocious manners

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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.

Recent Examples of mortify Bonner, mortified, reached out the next day to invite them back. — John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026 The film approaches its health crisis with amazing balance and breadth, resulting in a mortifying conflict that feels uniquely global in scale. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026 The episode concludes with Rhaenyra looking completely mortified at the idea of having to explain to Alicent what happened, since Alicent had set Rhaenyra up to take King’s Landing and thus the Iron Throne from Alicent’s son, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) — but hadn’t expected this. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 29 June 2026 But she was mortified when a crime website posted her mug shot. — Clare Amari, New York Times, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for mortify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortify

Verb

Chicago embarrassed Philadelphia, while the Eagles squandered a late lead against the Rams before suffering an improbable loss to the Jaguars in London.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
The Longhorns’ offense scored 17 points against a Florida defense that Missouri and South Carolina embarrassed.

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of embarrass

Verb

But the other Sullivan has said the decision to run was his own and denied his candidacy was intended to confuse voters or siphon votes in Republican Sullivan's tight race against Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman.

— Willem Marx, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Christina Applegate’s recent revelation that she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis is raising questions about how the disease can be confused with other conditions even after years of treatment.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of confuse

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mortifies

mortify

mortifying

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“Mortify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortify. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mortify

verb

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