Mortification has nothing to do with fear. This word is often misused by someone looking for an alternative word to "horrified"; used in contexts like: "If I saw that guy stalking me when out at night, I would be... mortified!"
I think some wires get crossed in the users mind here. You could say you were mortified instead of saying "I thought I'd die of embarressment". What the user is intending to communicate is a feeling they might die of fright/be scared to death.
Take away: If you're talking about being very afraid, don't say mortified. Try reaching for these instead: petrified, aghast and stricken (with fear).
Posted 2/27/26
