to mortify
22
6.9
- verb
- /ˈmɔːrtɪfaɪ/
:
avergonzar
- She felt mortified after tripping in front of the entire class during the presentation.
But I was mortified because I had my patch on.
- But I was mortified because I had my patch on.
- And so he is mortified that she humiliated him like that, even though it was accidental on her part.
- I mortified, I hate it, I hate it.
Examples
-
"It's all right," she assured the mortified patient, "these things happen."
Fiction book (1997) -
Standing there in her coat, looking mortified, is Nora.
Fiction book (2002) -
Of course, my parents were mortified when no one asked to marry me.
-
Harry would be mortified to see where his teaching has led.
Fiction book (2002) -
I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.
-
Your mother was mortified when you showed up at the security gate in a taxi.
Fiction book (1995) -
And when the Reverend finds out, he will be mortified, I can assure you.
-
I would be mortified if I was just singled out like that in front of everyone.
-
My grandfather, who grew up around 1900, would have been mortified to ask for a government handout.
Blog text (9) -
Emma Sohrabian, Aolani's mother, said that she was "mortified" when doctors didn't know her child's sex.
Blog text (19)
Synonyms
642
2.1
Make someone feel awkward or ashamed in front of others
414
6.1
Make someone feel very ashamed and foolish, often in front of others
62
4.5
To make someone lose respect or honor by doing something shameful
58
5.3
To make someone feel less proud or important
53
6.8
To make someone feel less respected or important
48
5.3
To make someone or something lose respect by bad action
1
8.6
To make someone feel ashamed or lose respect for themselves
To make someone feel embarrassed and less confident
To make someone feel embarrassed or disappointed
Antonyms
How Embarrassing
Surface Forms
Morphology
mortify = mort + ify
The sense 'to embarrass/shame' is a figurative development from 'mort' (death) + '-ify' and is not derivable by a B1 learner from the component parts.
Etymology
Mortify comes from the Latin root mort- meaning 'death', the same root as mortal. So to mortify someone is like 'killing' their pride or making them feel deep shame.