Mortifier

A mortifier is a noun referring to a person or thing that causes humiliation, shame, or distress. This term can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, and it often implies a degree of severity in the feelings it invokes. Mortifiers can include social situations, actions, and even personal failures that lead to a sense of loss of dignity or self-respect.

Mortifier meaning with examples

• During the school assembly, the teacher made a mortifying comment about my project, leaving me feeling embarrassed in front of my peers. I thought I had done well, but the critique cut deeper than intended and made me reconsider my efforts in class.
• When she shared the story of her most embarrassing moments at a family gathering, it felt like a mortifier to some. Although her relatives laughed, I could see the red in her cheeks as she relived those uncomfortable experiences, reminding us all of the vulnerability in sharing deep feelings.
• The mortifier of forgetting my best friend's birthday was compounded by social media reminders from others. Instead of receiving a warm response of understanding, I faced their amused expressions, highlighting how my slip-up made me feel smaller in a moment when I aimed to show love and appreciation.
• To travel alone can be a mortifier for someone shy, especially when dealing with tricky customs rules or unexpected delays. Each misunderstanding feels magnified under the pressure of new surroundings, making anyone long for the familiarity of home along with its comforts.