mortify

9 synonyms and 5 antonyms for mortify, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To control your body or desires through strict self-discipline.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

humble

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

crucify gangrene humiliate subdue necrose chagrin sphacelate abase

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To control your body or desires through strict self-discipline.

“Some people seek sainthood by mortifying the body.”

humble crucify gangrene humiliate subdue necrose chagrin sphacelate abase

Opposites

indulge pamper gratify

2. verb

To make someone feel deeply embarrassed or ashamed.

“I was so mortified I could have died right there; instead I fainted, but I swore I'd never let that happen to me again.”

Opposites

dignify honor

Etymology

Came into English from Anglo-Norman mortifier and Middle French mortifier, from Late Latin mortificō (“cause death”), from Latin mors (“death”) combined with -ficō (“-fy”).

Full origin of mortify →

People also searched

honor humble indulge gratify crucify pamper subdue humiliate dignify gangrene chagrin abase

Nearby words

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