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.
At school, nothing was more shameful to me than seeing my father drinking from the water fountain, sucking and gulping. Ottessa Moshfegh, New Yorker, 30 June 2025 It was used during World War II to justify the internment of Japanese Americans and has since become synonymous with some of the nation’s most shameful civil liberties violations. Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025 This divisive and cruel language and attitude from Trump and Lee is shameful and only serves to promote additional political assaults. — Douglas Kaplan, Baltimore Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2025 Turning it into a cheap conceit to blast a political opponent is both obtuse and shameful, and only serves to bolster those who would downplay the terrors of Hitler’s reign. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 June 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 5 Jul. 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!