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 This shameful and murderous act will not be tolerated in my hometown or our state. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024 Since this is entirely preventable, a baby born with syphilis is a shameful sign of a failing public health system. Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 4 Mar. 2024 Reacting against the shameful legacy of Germany’s past, Lena winds up flirting with a risky Antifa-like faction. Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Feb. 2024 To include this gratuitous ban in the emergency funding bill is cruel and shameful. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024 The shameful decision emboldened Hamas terrorists and undermined our alliance with the Jewish state. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 30 Mar. 2024 True, losing to Shakur Stevenson and Navarette in world title fights isn’t exactly shameful, but it’s been three years since Valdez’s most impressive victory, a 10th-round knockout of Miguel Berchelt. Josh Katzowitz, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024 But perhaps the comparison should have the opposite effect, urging us toward deeper self-reflection by linking what is most shameful in our past to what is most galling in our present. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2024 Even more shameful is the fact that prosecutors are making this practice more common in criminal trials across the country, whether the rapper is a chart-topping superstar as famous as Young Thug or an aspiring unknown posting their music on YouTube. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shameful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near shameful

Cite this Entry

“Shameful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shameful. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

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

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