SHAME: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for SHAME?

Need another word that means the same as “shame”? Find 69 synonyms and 30 related words for “shame” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Shame” are: disgrace, ignominy, pity, humiliation, mortification, chagrin, loss of face, shamefacedness, embarrassment, indignity, abashment, discomfort, discomfiture, discomposure, guilt, remorse, contrition, compunction, dishonour, discredit, degradation, disrepute, infamy, scandal, odium, opprobrium, obloquy, condemnation, contempt, discredit to, disgrace to, stain on, blemish on, blot on, blot on the escutcheon of, slur on, reproach to, bad reflection on, misfortune, crying shame, cause for regret, source of regret, unfortunate thing, attaint, dishonor, humiliate, mortify, make someone feel ashamed, embarrass, abash, chasten, humble, put someone in their place, take down a peg or two, cut down to size, show up, outshining, overshadowing, excelling, outstripping, outdistancing, outdoing, transcending, dwarfing, upstaging, shaming

Shame as a Noun

Definitions of "Shame" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “shame” as a noun can have the following definitions:

  • A state of dishonor.
  • A painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behaviour.
  • An unfortunate development.
  • A regrettable or unfortunate situation or action.
  • A person, action, or situation that brings a loss of respect or honour.
  • A painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt.
  • A loss of respect or esteem; dishonour.

Synonyms of "Shame" as a noun (43 Words)

abashmentFeeling embarrassed due to modesty.
bad reflection onThat which is below standard or expectations as of ethics or decency.
blemish onA mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person’s body.
blot onA blemish made by dirt.
blot on the escutcheon ofAn act that brings discredit to the person who does it.
cause for regretA comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy.
chagrinAnnoyance or distress at having failed or been humiliated.
To my chagrin he was nowhere to be seen.
compunctionA feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed.
They used their tanks without compunction.
condemnationA final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed.
His uncompromising condemnation of racism.
contemptA manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous.
Pam stared at the girl with total contempt.
contrition(in the Roman Catholic Church) the repentance of past sins during or after confession.
Prayers of contrition.
crying shameThe process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds.
degradationThe condition or process of degrading or being degraded.
A trail of human misery and degradation.
discomfitureA feeling of unease or embarrassment; awkwardness.
Many MPs are secretly enjoying his discomfiture.
discomfortThe state of being tense and feeling pain.
The patient complained of discomfort in the left calf.
discomposureThe state or feeling of being disturbed or agitated; agitation.
She laughed to mask her discomposure.
discreditA person or thing that is a source of disgrace.
The ships were a discredit to the country.
discredit toThe state of being held in low esteem.
disgraceLoss of reputation or respect as the result of a dishonourable action.
He left the army in disgrace.
disgrace toA state of dishonor.
dishonourLacking honor or integrity.
They have brought dishonour upon our family.
disreputeThe state of being held in low esteem.
One of the top clubs in the country is bringing the game into disrepute.
embarrassmentA person or thing causing feelings of embarrassment.
He was an embarrassment who was safely left ignored.
guiltRemorse caused by feeling responsible for some offense.
It is the duty of the prosecution to prove the prisoner s guilt.
humiliationAn instance in which you are caused to lose your prestige or self-respect.
He fought back tears of humiliation.
ignominyA state of dishonor.
The ignominy of being imprisoned.
indignityAn affront to one’s dignity or self-esteem.
The indignity of needing financial help.
infamyA state of extreme dishonor.
A day that will live in infamy.
loss of faceThe disadvantage that results from losing something.
misfortuneBad luck.
Never laugh at other people s misfortunes.
mortificationThe action of subduing one’s bodily desires.
They mistook my mortification for an admission of guilt.
obloquyState of disgrace resulting from public abuse.
Conduct to which no more obloquy could reasonably attach.
odiumGeneral or widespread hatred or disgust incurred by someone as a result of their actions.
He incurred widespread odium for military failures and government corruption.
opprobriumA state of extreme dishonor- F.D.Roosevelt.
The critical opprobrium generated by his films.
pityThe feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others.
The blind are too often objects of pity.
remorseDeep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.
They were filled with remorse and shame.
reproach toA mild rebuke or criticism.
scandalRumour or malicious gossip about scandalous events or actions.
A bribery scandal involving one of his key supporters.
shamefacednessFeeling embarrassed about yourself.
slur onA curved line spanning notes that are to be played legato.
source of regretA document (or organization) from which information is obtained.
stain onA dye or other coloring material that is used in microscopy to make structures visible.
unfortunate thingA person who suffers misfortune.

Usage Examples of "Shame" as a noun

  • One mistake brought shame to all his family.
  • She was hot with shame.
  • What a shame Ellie won't be here.
  • He felt a pang of shame at telling Alice a lie.
  • It is a shame that they are not better known.
  • Ignorance of Latin would be a disgrace and a shame to any public man.
  • The incident had brought shame on his family.

Shame as a Verb

Definitions of "Shame" as a verb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “shame” as a verb can have the following definitions:

  • Compel through a sense of shame.
  • Bring shame or dishonor upon.
  • Surpass or beat by a wide margin.
  • Cause (someone) to feel inadequate by outdoing or surpassing them.
  • Make (someone) feel ashamed.
  • Cause to be ashamed.
  • Bring shame to.

Synonyms of "Shame" as a verb (26 Words)

abashMake (someone) feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.
If anything was officially done or said to him it did not abash him.
attaintSubject (someone) to attainder.
Even to have kicked an outsider might have been held to attaint the foot.
chagrinFeel distressed or humiliated.
He was chagrined when his friend poured scorn on him.
chastenRestrain.
The director was somewhat chastened by his recent flops.
cut down to sizeMake an incision or separation.
disgraceBring shame or discredit on.
He has been publicly disgraced for offences for which he was not guilty.
dishonorBring shame or dishonor upon.
He dishonored his family by committing a serious crime.
dishonourBring shame or dishonor upon.
Payment was by a cheque which was later dishonoured.
dwarfingCheck the growth of.
embarrassCause to be embarrassed cause to feel self conscious.
He would be embarrassed by estate duty.
excellingDistinguish oneself.
humbleCause (someone) to feel less important or proud.
Wales were humbled at Cardiff Arms Park by Romania.
humiliateMake (someone) feel ashamed and foolish by injuring their dignity and pride.
He humiliated his colleague by criticising him in front of the boss.
make someone feel ashamedMake by combining materials and parts.
mortifyCause (someone) to feel very embarrassed or ashamed.
They wish to return to heaven by mortifying the flesh.
outdistancingGo far ahead of.
outdoingGet the better of.
outshiningAttract more attention and praise than others.
outstrippingGo far ahead of.
overshadowingMake appear small by comparison.
put someone in their placeAdapt.
shamingCause to be ashamed.
show upMake visible or noticeable.
take down a peg or twoAccept or undergo, often unwillingly.
transcendingBe greater in scope or size than some standard.
upstagingSteal the show, draw attention to oneself away from someone else.

Usage Examples of "Shame" as a verb

  • She shames me with her eighty-year-old energy.
  • She shamed him into making amends.
  • Legal action must be taken and companies named and shamed.
  • I tried to shame him into giving some away.
  • The entire debacle has shamed Scotland.

Associations of "Shame" (30 Words)

ashamedFeeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse.
Felt ashamed of my torn coat.
awkwardCausing inconvenience.
I felt awkward standing in front of the whole class.
belittleExpress a negative opinion of.
Don t belittle your colleagues.
blushA pink or pale red tinge.
Kate felt herself blushing scarlet.
chagrinCause to feel shame; hurt the pride of.
He was chagrined when his friend poured scorn on him.
compromisingMaking or willing to make concessions.
Loneliness tore through him whenever he thought of even the compromising Louis du Tillet.
criticismThe analysis and judgement of the merits and faults of a literary or artistic work.
He received a lot of criticism.
degradationA low or downcast state- H.L.Menchken.
A trail of human misery and degradation.
degradeReduce the level of land, as by erosion.
She thought that many supposedly erotic pictures degraded women.
demeanDo something that is beneath one’s dignity.
I had demeaned the profession.
disgraceA person or thing regarded as shameful and unacceptable.
He left the army in disgrace.
disgraceful(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame.
A disgraceful waste of money.
dishonorBring shame or dishonor upon.
He was resigned to a life of dishonor.
disparageExpress a negative opinion of.
She disparaged her student s efforts.
disreputeThe state of being held in low esteem by the public.
One of the top clubs in the country is bringing the game into disrepute.
embarrassingHard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment.
The embarrassing moment when she found her petticoat down around her ankles.
embarrassmentA person or thing causing feelings of embarrassment.
He is currently suffering financial embarrassments.
flushDenoting a type of toilet that has a flushing device.
She flushed the loo.
guiltMake someone feel guilty especially in order to induce them to do something.
It is the duty of the prosecution to prove the prisoner s guilt.
hangdogHaving a dejected or guilty appearance; shamefaced.
The hangdog and shamefaced air of the retreating enemy.
humiliateCause to feel shame; hurt the pride of.
You ll humiliate me in front of the whole school.
humiliatingMaking someone feel ashamed and foolish by injuring their dignity and pride.
A humiliating defeat.
humiliationStrong feelings of embarrassment.
He fought back tears of humiliation.
ignominiousDeserving or causing public disgrace or shame.
An ignominious retreat.
ignominyPublic shame or disgrace.
The ignominy of being imprisoned.
impenitentNot penitent or remorseful.
Impenitent elitists.
infamyA state of extreme dishonor- F.D.Roosevelt.
A date which will live in infamy.
mortifyCause to feel shame; hurt the pride of.
Mortify the flesh.
sinCommit a sin.
I sinned and brought shame down on us.
stultifyDeprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless.
Nobody is legally allowed to stultify himself.

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