"Makes a fool of" is a phrase that means to cause someone to appear foolish or ridiculous in front of others. It is usually associated with embarrassing or humiliating someone, often in a public or social setting. In other words, it refers to the act of undermining someone's dignity or self-esteem by making them look foolish or ridiculous.
Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: Humiliates. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.