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 of ashamed

• guilty

Examples of ashamed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Father Ruiz, who was from Peru, by contrast always felt a little ashamed of not having studied in any concerted way. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026

Rather, marijuana is part of the private language keeping Molly and Frankie afloat, and instead of feeling ashamed, the soulmates have designed their lives around celebrating weed as a kind of romance. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Or ashamed about not being able to give a family member more financial support? — Marielle Segarra, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026

This stigma leaves many people feeling immensely ashamed—and often too afraid to talk about their experiences. — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 6 Aug. 2026

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