shameful

adjective

shame·​ful ˈshām-fəl How to pronounce shameful (audio)
1
a
: bringing shame : disgraceful
b
: arousing the feeling of shame
2
archaic : full of the feeling of shame : ashamed
shamefully adverb
shamefulness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 2021 withdrawal was unacceptably chaotic and bloody, the takeover by the Taliban shameful, but that war is now over. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025 For birth families, relinquishing a child was not only shameful but a badge of poverty. Barbara Demick, New Yorker, 23 May 2025 There will be a lot of shameful words written here about how embarrassingly inept your team are. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 22 May 2025 Reconciling with some more ugly, shameful guilty parts of a young woman’s coming of age was really exciting to me. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shameful

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of shameful was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shameful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shameful. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

shameful

adjective
shame·​ful ˈshām-fəl How to pronounce shameful (audio)
1
: bringing shame
shameful behavior
2
: arousing the feeling of shame
a shameful sight
shamefully adverb
shamefulness
-fəl-nəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shameful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!