Synonyms of shame

shame 1 of 2

noun

ˈshām 

1

as in remorse

a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing

racked with shame over her actions of the previous week

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remorse
• guilt
• regret
• remorsefulness
• sadness
• repentance
• contrition
• grief
• penitence
• rue
• sorrow
• self-reproach
• blame
• anguish
• embarrassment
• contriteness
• apology
• qualm
• compunction
• responsibility
• culpability
• chagrin
• misgiving
• scruple
• prick
• distress
• fault
• ruth
• excuses
• liability
• rap
• mea culpa
• hand-wringing
• bloodguilt
• bloodguiltiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impenitence
• remorselessness

2

as in pity

a regrettable or blameworthy act

it's a shame you won't be able to come to the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pity
• disgrace
• crime
• sin
• scandal
• outrage

3

as in disgrace

the state of having lost the esteem of others

left the room in shame after his angry outburst

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disgrace
• contempt
• humiliation
• dishonor
• ignominy
• stigma
• infamy
• disrepute
• disdain
• discredit
• reproach
• odium
• opprobrium
• obloquy
• scandal
• disapproval
• disesteem
• taint
• scorn
• despite
• degradation
• stain
• disapprobation
• dust
• abasement
• debasement
• blot
• brand
• deprecation
• humbling
• disfavor
• slur
• debasing
• shadow
• spot
• smirch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• respect
• honor
• esteem
• fear
• regard
• appreciation
• admiration
• estimation
• glory
• reverence
• awe
• fame
• renown
• repute

shame

2 of 2

verb

as in to humiliate

to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes

shamed the family name with his conviction for embezzlement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humiliate
• discredit
• disgrace
• embarrass
• humble
• dishonor
• confuse
• degrade
• insult
• demean
• rattle
• cheapen
• debase
• take down
• criticize
• abase
• chasten
• lower
• diminish
• foul
• sink
• ridicule
• minimize
• smirch
• detract
• disparage
• mortify
• belittle
• faze
• disconcert
• discount
• condemn
• confound
• decry
• libel
• slander
• affront
• write off
• depreciate
• fluster
• defame
• discountenance
• malign
• castigate
• discomfit
• cry down
• damn
• abash
• defile
• put down
• censure
• denounce
• nonplus
• bad-mouth
• execrate
• reprehend
• reprobate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honor
• applaud
• commend
• recognize
• celebrate
• congratulate
• praise
• acknowledge
• exalt
• boast
• elevate
• cheer
• compliment
• salute
• laud
• aggrandize
• cite
• extol
• highlight
• deify
• hail
• acclaim
• canonize
• decorate
• eulogize
• tout
• fete
• spotlight
• dignify
• glorify
• promote
• magnify
• play up
• advance
• enshrine
• lift
• ennoble
• raise
• boost
• upgrade
• uplift
• enthrone
• idealize
• romanticize
• ensky

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shame

Noun

Other common reasons were wanting to shield others from stress (52%), feeling shame or fear of judgment (48%) and refusing to feel like a financial burden (47%). — Mallika Mitra, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026

On both, as ever, his illegible mumble suggests shame in his own voice, or even guilt about being here at all (some of his enduring illnesses relate to PTSD from cradling a dying friend in his lap after a gang attack as a teen). — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026

Verb

There is no point in trying to shame him into being different. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026

The women were shamed into surrendering their babies by their families and a powerful church. — Bill Whitaker, CBS News, 12 July 2026