mortify Definition
- 1cause (someone) to feel very embarrassed or ashamed
- 2subdue (the body or its needs and desires) by self-denial or discipline
Using mortify: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mortify" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
I was mortified by my mistake.
Example
She was mortified when her skirt fell down in public.
Example
He mortified his flesh through fasting and other forms of self-denial.
Example
She mortified herself with guilt over the accident.
mortify Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for mortify
- humiliate
- shame
- chasten
- discipline
- embarrass
Antonyms for mortify
Idioms Using mortify
Example
When she realized she had been wearing her shirt inside out all day, she felt like dying of shame.
to defeat or embarrass an opponent thoroughly
Example
The underdog team mortified the opposition with a stunning victory.
Example
He mortified his pride by admitting his mistake in front of everyone.
Phrases with mortify
self-mortification
the act of disciplining oneself by suppressing bodily desires or appetites
Example
The monk practiced self-mortification by sleeping on a hard bed and eating only one meal a day.
Example
The ascetic monk sought to mortify the flesh through fasting and other forms of self-denial.
a humiliating or embarrassing loss or failure
Example
The team suffered a mortifying defeat in the championship game.
Origins of mortify
from Latin 'mortificare', meaning 'to put to death'
Summary: mortify in Brief
The verb 'mortify' [ˈmɔːtɪfaɪ] means to cause someone to feel embarrassed or ashamed, or to subdue one's own desires or needs through self-discipline. Examples include 'She was mortified when her skirt fell down in public.' and 'He mortified his flesh through fasting and other forms of self-denial.' Phrases like 'mortify the flesh' and idioms like 'die of shame/mortification' further illustrate the concept of humiliation and embarrassment.