View synonyms for

humbling

[huhm-bling, uhm-]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

causing a person to feel less proud, especially through awe, admiration, or gratitude.
This project has involved some exceptionally talented people and it’s been a humbling experience to work with them.
lowering a person’s status, power, dignity, confidence, etc..
The 26:2 vote in favor of their opponents was indeed a humbling defeat.

noun

the act of affecting a person or thing in any of these ways, or the experience of being so affected.
The Magna Carta marked the restoration of Anglo-Saxon freedom and the humbling of Norman tyranny.

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Other Word Forms

humblingly adverb
self-humbling adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of humbling¹

First recorded in 1540–50; humbl(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; humbl(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

They included a tour of South East Asia and a "humbling" visit to Presley's home in Graceland after receiving an award in Memphis in the US.

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"Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour," said Beckham.

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It was a humbling experience for their touted sophomore class that’s led a drastic turnaround.

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It’s the most humbling thing in the world, and I just adore it.

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He said it was "very humbling to see the Race Around The World family rally to this worthy cause".

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Related Words

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humble plant humbly

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