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

The trauma would remain buried beneath a heavy shroud of silence and shame, resurfacing only decades later—almost violently breaking through—during a hypnosis session. — Olivier Bouchara, Vanity Fair, 24 July 2026

But the real shame is that Tesla could be doing so much more to get drivers to go electric. — Tim Levin, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Verb

But because there are rules and codes that have to be honored to make sports work, the transgressors typically are penalized or at least shamed for doing so. — Vahe Gregorian july 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026

Last year, a judge threw out the accusations of body shaming following a motion from Lizzo’s team that argued that events like the nude show outings were protected free speech as part of the creative process. — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 29 June 2026