mortify

/ˈmɔːrtɪfaɪ/
verb
  1. To cause someone to feel extremely embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated.
    • It mortifies me when I realize I've been calling my teacher by the wrong name all semester.
    • The video of him tripping on stage went viral and mortified him completely.
    • She didn't mean to mortify her brother by showing his baby photos to his date.
  2. To discipline or subdue one's body or desires, especially for religious or spiritual reasons.
    • Some believers mortify their desire for comfort by sleeping on the floor.
    • The hermit chose to mortify his appetite by eating only bread and water.
    • He tried to mortify his pride by volunteering for the most humble tasks.
  3. To cause tissue to decay or die, as in gangrene.
    • If the wound is not cleaned, the infection can mortify the surrounding flesh.
    • The doctor explained that poor circulation can mortify the toes over time.
    • The extreme cold began to mortify the tips of his fingers.
Antonyms