shameful

adjective

ˈshām-fəl How to pronounce shameful (audio)
Definition of shamefulnext
as in notorious
not respectable shameful behavior by a bunch of drunken boors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of shameful Only in New York, by New Yorkers, even weeks after the Knicks win — still shameful! — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026 But Marie’s past — her shameful affair with a German soldier during occupation — threatens to catch up with her. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026 His comments literally minimizing antisemitism in our country was shameful. — Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 Through Taylor-Joy’s character, the series reminds us to face ourselves, even the broken and painful bits that feel shameful. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shameful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shameful
  1. notorious
  2. infamous
  3. shady
  4. immoral
  5. criminal
  6. disgraceful
Adjective
  • While renowned for its red brick buildings and lush green lawns, UCLA’s campus is also notorious for its steep hills.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In the now-notorious moment, Rock, 61, made a joke directed at Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s buzzed haircut.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of notorious
Adjective
  • Gaming equipment is infamous for sporting some scary sticker prices.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
  • When asked about a now-infamous flagrant-2 foul by DiJonai Carrington against Cunningham, White appeared to give Carrington the benefit of the doubt and suggest that the foul wasn't on purpose.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of infamous
Adjective
  • For shady slopes, this evergreen, herbaceous perennial with striking yellow blooms makes excellent groundcover under trees.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The massive trees had long been a home for rare species and a shady place for neighbors to gather.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of shady
Adjective
  • When Russians embrace the Eurasian narrative, they are also engaged in the political project of rejecting Europe and the West, which Putin and his allies deride as decadent, declining, and immoral.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In the realms of art, literature, film, and television, words and images that would once have been considered indecent, offensive, or immoral are now commonplace, especially in the West.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of immoral
Adjective
  • In the filing, the Justice Department urged the appeals court to reverse the Tennessee federal judge’s ruling dismissing criminal charges against Abrego Garcia.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Another person, Robert Zanolla, faces charges of felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as related misdemeanors, the office said.
    — Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Some have advised me and others to get rid of the disgraceful invader rose of Sharon.
    — Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The conditions they were made to play in, outside of their Tijuana base, were disgraceful.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of disgraceful

Browse Nearby Words

shamefaced
shameful
shameless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shameful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shameful. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shameful

Nglish: Translation of shameful for Spanish Speakers

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