Synonyms for mortification
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Humiliation
humiliation, chagrin, shame, embarrassment, vexation, disappointment, confusion, abasement, self-abasement, abashment
3. Self-denial
Other
sphacelation dated
Definitions
- n. 1
The act of mortifying.
- n. 2
A sensation of extreme shame or embarrassment.
Near-synonym: humiliation
- n. 3
The death of part of the body.
Forms
- Plural
- mortifications → humiliations, chagrins, shames, embarrassments…
Choose the right word
A consciousness that one has displayed his own ignorance will cause him mortification, however worthy his intent; if there was a design to deceive, the exposure will cover him with shame.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- shame I was put to shame in the presence of many people.
- embarrassment Laïcité is an embarrassment to the secular world.
- humiliation How do you put up with that kind of humiliation?
- chagrin He often hastens physical intimacy, much to the chagrin of his dates.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| mortification | rising | |
| shame | rising | |
| embarrassment | rising | |
| humiliation | rising | |
| chagrin | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 5 letters
- shame1
- 7 letters
- penance2, chagrin2
- 8 letters
- necrosis3, gangrene2, vexation
- 9 letters
- confusion3, abasement, abashment, sphacelus
- 10 letters
- asceticism, maceration
- 11 letters
- humiliation5
- 12 letters
- sphacelation
- 13 letters
- embarrassment4
- 14 letters
- disappointment4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (penance2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- mortification
- Italiano
- mortificazione