Mortify

Mortify is a verb that describes the feeling of extreme shame, embarrassment, or humiliation. It involves a deep sense of disgrace, often caused by a loss of dignity, a social blunder, or the exposure of one's flaws. The act of being mortified can also imply the subduing of one's desires or impulses, especially through self-denial. It suggests a profound impact on one's self-esteem and can leave a lasting effect. The feeling is often visceral, causing physical manifestations like blushing, stammering, or avoiding eye contact. The event leading to mortification might be public, such as an embarrassing mistake, or private, a realization of one's own shortcomings. Ultimately, to be mortified means to be deeply wounded in one's sense of self-worth.

Mortify meaning with examples

• Sarah was absolutely mortified when her toddler loudly announced her age during a formal dinner party. Her face turned crimson as the other guests chuckled, leaving her wishing she could simply disappear. This unexpected outburst was a social faux pas that left her deeply embarrassed and wanting the ground to swallow her whole.
• He was mortified by the video of himself singing karaoke, which his friends had secretly recorded and shared on social media. He cringed with each off-key note and awkward dance move, regretting ever stepping on the stage. The exposure of his vulnerable performance was a source of deep shame for days afterwards.
• Having accidentally sent a sensitive email intended for a colleague to her boss, she was completely mortified. The error revealed private information and demonstrated a lack of attention to detail, filling her with immense shame and apprehension. She spent the rest of the day cowering in shame, fearing repercussions.
• The star athlete was mortified after being caught cheating, ruining his reputation. His fans' disappointment, combined with public condemnation, was crushing. The humiliation of losing his honor and the respect of his peers was a painful lesson. This taught him the impact of unethical decisions.
• When the aspiring actor tripped and fell flat on his face during the audition, he was mortified. He felt all eyes on him, seeing the judges’ expressions of pity and disappointment. This moment left him wishing he could rewind time and start over, but he was left with this bitter reminder of his failure.