mortify

verb

ˈmȯr-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce mortify (audio)
Definition of mortifynext
as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress was mortified by her children's atrocious manners

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mortify This time round, Starr’s mortified co-stars included Yul Brynner, who made an uncredited appearance as a transvestite cabaret singer. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2026 Substitute in those that reverberate deeply with you, those you would be mortified to let down and elated to make proud. — Literary Hub, 6 May 2026 Just last year, the Trust for Public Land scored the city way down at 90th out of 100 cities, the kind of mortifying ranking usually occupied in other categories by Mississippi (sorry, Mississippi). — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026 Baby Reindeer was hardly a laugh riot, but mortifying humor is still humor and, with episodic running times in the 30-minute range, the show had a charging, unpredictable momentum. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mortify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortify
  1. embarrass
  2. confuse
Verb
  • Or from locking up Mick Cronin through 2030, even though UCLA’s prickly basketball coach embarrasses the university annually and hasn’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2023.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The comprehensive regimen is meant to uncover any prior criminal conduct in an applicant’s past as well as embarrassing personal information that could make an employee vulnerable to blackmail.
    — Eric Tucker, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrass
Verb
  • Then began the desperate, confusing search for their colleagues.
    — Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Founders frequently misjudge their business's worth, often confusing revenue with actual value.
    — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of confuse

Browse Nearby Words

mortifies
mortify
mortifying
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Cite this Entry

“Mortify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortify. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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