as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
was mortified by her children's atrocious manners
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Recent Examples of mortify
But Zweig makes little effort to differentiate between union leadership and the rank-and-file members who were frequently mortified by what was being done in their name.
—
Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2025
Though much of the role consists of verbatim passages from Murrow’s actual telecasts, including mortifying, obviously prepped interviews with the likes of Liberace, Clooney performs them with wit, integrity and charming modesty.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Early on, she was told to go to the supply cupboard and ask for a long stand or a big weight that turned into a very long wait: an entry-level joke and rite of passage that, to her, was mortifying.
—Geoff Dyer, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Then, on the walk from the 16th to 17th holes in the Monday playoff, a mortifying image crossed his mind: Hitting his tee shot into the water.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortify
Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2025
Though much of the role consists of verbatim passages from Murrow’s actual telecasts, including mortifying, obviously prepped interviews with the likes of Liberace, Clooney performs them with wit, integrity and charming modesty.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Early on, she was told to go to the supply cupboard and ask for a long stand or a big weight that turned into a very long wait: an entry-level joke and rite of passage that, to her, was mortifying.
—Geoff Dyer, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Then, on the walk from the 16th to 17th holes in the Monday playoff, a mortifying image crossed his mind: Hitting his tee shot into the water.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortify
Verb
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Manager Luis Enrique's side then embarrassed Inter Miami 4-0 in the round of 16 and survived two late red cards vs. Bayern Munich to win that quarterfinal battle 2-0. PSG vs. Real Madrid Injury, Suspension, Lineup News: Both teams will be missing key pieces along their back lines today.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
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The Nuggets, like the current Rockies, were embarrassing themselves regularly before posting an 11-71 record.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 July 2025
Verb
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By 1915, scientists unearthed 2 million bones of large animals from La Brea, and a pattern emerged that both excited and confused them: too many predators.—
Ian Rose,
JSTOR Daily,
23 July 2025
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Two people can deliver the same message, but their delivery style can make the difference between motivating and confusing a team.—
Kendra MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mortify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortify. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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