What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
humiliating
Example
It was humiliating to be called out in front of the entire class. [humiliating: adjective]
Example
She felt humiliated when her boss criticized her work in front of her colleagues. [humiliated: verb]
mortifying
Example
It was mortifying to realize I had been walking around with my shirt inside out all day. [mortifying: adjective]
Example
He was mortified when he accidentally sent an embarrassing email to his entire office. [mortified: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Humiliating is more commonly used in everyday language than mortifying. Humiliating is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while mortifying is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between humiliating and mortifying?
Mortifying is generally considered more formal or literary than humiliating. While both words can be used in formal or informal contexts, mortifying may be more appropriate in writing or speech that requires a higher level of formality or sophistication.
