ashamed

adjective

ə-ˈshāmd 

1

a

: feeling shame, guilt, or disgrace

She felt ashamed for hitting her brother.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Losing is nothing to be ashamed of.

He was deeply ashamed of his behavior.

b

: feeling inferior or unworthy

2

: reluctant or unwilling to do something because of shame or embarrassment

I was ashamed to be seen with him.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I don't know the answer.

ashamedly

ə-ˈshā-məd-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• guilty

Examples of ashamed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

City leaders should be ashamed for letting this issue get so out of hand. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025

Her advice to others facing this journey is to speak openly, accept support, and don’t be ashamed to ask for help. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 22 June 2025

Up until now, though, those flashbacks, while frustrating, were explaining something about the characters, if crudely: This is why Sister Agnes blames herself; this is why Brian feels so ashamed. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 11 June 2025

The mother felt ashamed that her son had missed so much school. —Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English āscamod, past participle of āscamian to shame, from ā- (perfective prefix) + scamian to shame — more at abide, shame

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ashamed

• counterclaimed
• unashamed
• abovenamed
• acclaimed
• declaimed
• defamed
• disclaimed
• exclaimed
• inflamed
• misnamed
• nicknamed
• proclaimed

Kids Definition

ashamed

adjective

ə-ˈshāmd 

1

: feeling shame, guilt, or disgrace

ashamed of my behavior

2

: kept from doing something by an expectation of shame

ashamed to beg

ashamedly

-ˈshā-məd-lē 

adverb