1
as in meek
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness
a medical scientist who remained remarkably humble even after winning the Nobel Prize even though she'd been proven wrong, her attitude was still far from humble
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
a humble peasant girl who claimed she was chosen by God to restore the French king to his throne
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3
as in servile
showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness
please accept my humble thanks for this unexpected favor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
Philip was utterly humbled by a crushing defeat in the first round of the state chess tournament
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of humble
Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
Those humble beginnings of an arcade game that became iconic inspired the exhibit’s designers, said Adam Sabolick, Irvine’s program coordinator for arts and exhibitions.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 30 May 2025
Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2025
While we are devastated, we are also humbled by the global community that rallied to help find her.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for humble
Adjective
From its humble beginnings in the late 20th century, Google has come to dominate online searches, putting it squarely in the US government's antitrust crosshairs.
—Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
Those humble beginnings of an arcade game that became iconic inspired the exhibit’s designers, said Adam Sabolick, Irvine’s program coordinator for arts and exhibitions.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 30 May 2025
Verb
Daniel leads the Terps in goals this season with 32, but they were humbled by Ohio State, 14-10, in the Big Ten title game on May 3.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2025
While we are devastated, we are also humbled by the global community that rallied to help find her.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for humble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humble
Adjective
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That confidence paid off as Farrow received her first Tony nomination for her role as the initially meek homebody Sharon in the play by Jen Silverman, which ran at the Booth Theatre on Broadway from September through December 2024.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
31 May 2025
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According to the latest report from L.A.’s film office, production days on location decreased more than 22 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared with an already meek period in 2024.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Per Trump’s promise, the proposal leaves Title I (support for schools with low income students) and IDEA (funding for students with special needs) intact.—
Peter Greene,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Even with the longstanding recommendations, vaccination rates were relatively low for children and pregnant women.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
So Alex dons a uniform, buses tables and engages in servile labor for the first time in her life.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
23 Mar. 2025
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Trump’s servile devotion to Putin becomes the new norm overnight as Republicans cower in support of Trump’s new Putin policy.—
Bob Kustra,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And after Trump’s attempts to humiliate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office, the lure of the White House is waning.—
Stephen Collinson,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
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Simone Inzaghi really needs the win here — his Italian side finished one point behind Serie A champ Napoli and was humiliated by rival AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semifinal.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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His tombstone was flat and modest; people had left bouquets and stones.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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My social media agency started with modest goals that seemed sensible for a new entrepreneur.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Scientists were only starting to piece together that contaminated water, not flawed character, caused cholera; that smallpox probably originated in rodents; and that yellow fever was the vector work of the lowly mosquito, not the result of immigration or rotting vegetables.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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The lowly Charlotte Hornets, who haven't made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season, have the No. 4 pick, and will happily take yet another swing at lottery gold.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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There’s been the sublime, the abject, high drama, controversy, punch ups.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Based on lottery odds, two years of abject losing might (but only might) get you a top-three pick.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Injuries contributed to the Pacers’ series wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but claiming the Pacers only advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for a second straight postseason because of lucky breaks discredits their greatness.—
Jovan Buha,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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The former Minnesota Democratic congressman was widely shunned for running against Biden and discredited for his accusations that Biden wasn’t capable of being president again.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humble. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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