humble 1 of 2

1
as in meek
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness a medical scientist who remained remarkably humble even after winning the Nobel Prize even though she'd been proven wrong, her attitude was still far from humble

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2
3
as in servile
showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness please accept my humble thanks for this unexpected favor

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humble

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of humble
Adjective
In my humble opinion, every plant lover should spend a day or two going through the catalogue found on their website. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 1 Apr. 2025 Barbara opened Aquarius in 1989 as a humble attempt to give her daughter, who had recently suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident, something to do during the day. David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
So, reflecting on our whole journey, joining forces with EHG is both humbling and exhilarating. Rachel Burchfield, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 After a humbling sell-off on Friday, the indexes struggled to find their footing during Monday’s session. Julie Coleman, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for humble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humble
Adjective
  • One of the film’s most tragic figures is Fred’s meek and traumatized young widow (Norah Mwansa), who is treated abominably by Shula’s aunts.
    Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The series stars Purnell (Yellowjackets, Sweetbitter) as Rhiannon Lewis, a meek newspaper-office receptionist who was mercilessly bullied in high school.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Kathleen Mangione has supported Baltimore-area hospitals and carried a low profile compared to other family members.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Simmer on low heat for 6-7 hours with the lid mostly covering the pot but open a tiny crack.
    Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • So Alex dons a uniform, buses tables and engages in servile labor for the first time in her life.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Trump’s servile devotion to Putin becomes the new norm overnight as Republicans cower in support of Trump’s new Putin policy.
    Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Trump World even humiliated Abe by letting it be known that Abe had nominated the U.S. leader for a Nobel Peace Prize.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The temptation for Russia to humiliate London and Paris - by breaking any ceasefire with an attack carried out hundreds of miles away from British and French troops stuck in the capital - could prove hard to resist.
    Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The hotel welcomed dogs for a modest fee, offering a bowl and a sign at the door.
    Ethan Stone, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
  • In the quiet corridors of Berkshire Hathaway’s modest headquarters in Omaha, the Oracle himself shared his thoughts about the latest economic saber-rattling with the calm demeanor that has guided investors through countless storms.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With a runner on third, the lowly Buccos walked off the Yankees for a 5-4, sweep-spoiling victory at PNC Park.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The lowly citizen or warfighter may be held responsible under federal or state law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but not the leaders who have political clout.
    Lonnie Groot, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Later, the abject widow is found huddled with her relatives in the pale curve of an empty swimming pool, a glowing charcoal imbaula nearby to keep them warm.
    Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
  • On an early spring night in 1992, about 75 people were packed under the high vaulted ceiling of the church’s main hall, in abject shock and grief.
    Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Influencers and consumers alike took to platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to discredit the brand and show their support for competitors such as Olipop.
    John Hall, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Roberts had been a judge for only about two years when he was nominated for the Supreme Court, so his judicial record was quite thin, and some Democrats and their allies hoped to point to his work as a lawyer to discredit him.
    Ian Millhiser, Vox, 29 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Humble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humble. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

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