What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
humbling
Example
Meeting the survivors of the natural disaster was a humbling experience. [humbling: adjective]
Example
Failing the exam was a humbling experience that made me realize I needed to study harder. [humbling: gerund or present participle]
discomfiting
Example
The unexpected question from the interviewer was discomfiting. [discomfiting: adjective]
Example
The delay in the flight schedule was discomfiting for the passengers. [discomfiting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Discomfiting is more commonly used than humbling in everyday language. Discomfiting is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while humbling is less common and often used in personal growth or spiritual contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between humbling and discomfiting?
Both humbling and discomfiting are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts, such as academic writing or business communication.
