shameful

adjective

shame·​ful ˈshām-fəl 

1

a

: bringing shame : disgraceful

b

: arousing the feeling of shame

2

archaic : full of the feeling of shame : ashamed

shamefully

ˈshām-fə-lē 

adverb

shamefulness noun

Synonyms of shameful

• notorious
• infamous
• shady
• immoral
• criminal
• disgraceful

Examples of shameful in a Sentence

There is no excuse for such shameful behavior.

shameful behavior by a bunch of drunken boors

Recent Examples on the Web

Council member Johnathan Duncan, who represents the city’s southwestern edge, wrote a series of social media posts Monday night that called the city’s efforts shameful. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026

His greatest series let people see a character who has revealed the filthiest, most shameful parts of themselves, and imagine them as a mirror. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026

And as if there isn’t enough shameful posturing in Washington, Florida is piling on, too. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026

To interrogate Fauci now, for absolutely no coherent reason and completely without sense, is shameful and disgusting. — Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

shameful

adjective

shame·​ful ˈshām-fəl 

1

: bringing shame

shameful behavior

2

: arousing the feeling of shame

a shameful sight

shamefully

-fə-lē 

adverb

shamefulness

-fəl-nəs

noun