mortifying
Causing intense shame
Mortifying describes something that causes intense embarrassment or humiliation—the kind that makes you want to disappear: It was mortifying to realize I'd been talking to her with spinach in my teeth.
The word carries more weight than merely embarrassing; mortifying experiences feel like small deaths to one's dignity.
The related verb mortify means to humiliate or, in older religious contexts, to subdue bodily desires through discipline.
Facial reddening from emotion
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- flusteredNervously upset and confused
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
red-faced · humiliated · abashed · discomfiture · gauche · gaffe · stumble · bungle
Loss of honor
- dishonorLoss of respect
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- degradationDecline in condition
- ignominyState of dishonor
stigma · infamy · disrepute · abasement · indignity · reproach · debasement · scandal
Lower in standing
- belittleTo make something seem unimportant
- demeanLower in standing
- crushCompress with force
- deflateRelease air from
demoralize · squash · undermine · take-down · put-down · embarrass · slight · snub
Restraining one's own desires
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- austerityEnforced economic stringency
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
self-discipline · flagellation · hair-shirt · self-abnegation · renunciation · asceticism · monastic · penitential
blush
Facial reddening from emotion
self-conscious · red-faced · humiliated · abashed · discomfiture · gauche · gaffe · stumble · bungle · mishap
disgrace
Loss of honor
- dishonorLoss of respect
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- degradationDecline in condition
ignominy · stigma · infamy · disrepute · abasement · indignity · reproach · debasement · scandal · exposed
degrade
Lower in standing
deflate · demoralize · squash · undermine · take-down · put-down · embarrass · slight · snub · insult
self-denial
Restraining one's own desires
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- austerityEnforced economic stringency
abstinence · self-discipline · flagellation · hair-shirt · self-abnegation · renunciation · asceticism · monastic · penitential
- shamingshaming, humiliating, disgracing, dishonoring, degrading
- humiliationashamed, abasement, embarrassed, chagrin, degradation
mortifyinggratifying
Giving pleasure or satisfaction
validating · empowering · proud · triumphant · glorious
mortifyingdignifying
Giving unearned respect
dignified · ennobling · honorable · respectable · glorious
mortifyingdelightful
Highly pleasing, wonderful
wonderful · pleasant · great · enjoyable · satisfying