as in embarrassment
the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable
the mortification of being dumped the night before the prom
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Recent Examples of mortification
The cringing mortifications and unsettling unreality make the series a tough sit.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
Embarrassment and mortification at best, misunderstandings and criticism at worst.
—Grace Aldridge Foster, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
But Constance offered no more in her own defense, for all her mortification.
—Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
Oldman’s face, set in brooding concentration, evokes a pained, vaguely incredulous mortification, which builds to a bitter, almost paralyzing ruefulness.
—Houman Barekat, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortification
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
Embarrassment and mortification at best, misunderstandings and criticism at worst.
—Grace Aldridge Foster, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
But Constance offered no more in her own defense, for all her mortification.
—Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
Oldman’s face, set in brooding concentration, evokes a pained, vaguely incredulous mortification, which builds to a bitter, almost paralyzing ruefulness.
—Houman Barekat, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortification
Noun
-
In light of her public embarrassment, her author father, Greg, accepts a position as a visiting lecturer on campus to be close to his daughter in her time of need.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
Wilson’s an embarrassment to our police department.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Constant changes and slow IRS guidance led to widespread confusion and, eventually, abuse that forced the IRS to put a moratorium on claims on September 14, 2023 until August 8, 2024.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
So there’s little doubt that the emergence of jumbo-size Messi’s across America’s lawns create more intrigue than confusion, even in a nation where soccer as a whole remains a second-tier sport.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Jane says she’s watched Val for 20 years in an industry that has given her nothing but humiliation.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
-
Not long into their humiliation of the Hawks, Jalen Brunson sprawled out for a loose ball.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mortification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortification. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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