SHAMEFUL Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

shameful

adjective

ˈshām-fəl

Definition of shameful

as in notorious

not respectable shameful behavior by a bunch of drunken boors

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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

Adjective

Bohm was speeding in his BMW on Dead Man's Curve, a notorious stretch of Southern California’s Pacific Coast Highway.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
In its early decades, the hotel hosted the notable and the notorious of Gilded Age New York, evolving alongside Herald Square and spending its later years as the Hotel Metro.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of notorious

Adjective

However, only Atef Najib, Assad’s cousin, a security chief infamous for his brutality, is likely to face execution, the rest having been tried in absentia.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
Related Stories While driving through the snowy darkness one night, the courier comes face to the face with the results of a contagion — the Umbrella Corporation’s infamous T-virus — and chaos ensues.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of infamous

Adjective

The series contemplates topics like shady lending practices by financial institutions — something that will resonate deeply with today’s economy — and the ethics of placing oneself in a news story.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, Melanie’s sister, Steph, begged Melanie to leave Sincere because of his compulsive lying and shady behavior.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of shady

Adjective

By the way, his freshman season ended with a 41-27 loss to Manning and Texas in the Citrus Bowl, playing for interim coach Biff Poggi after Sherrone Moore was fired amid criminal charges.

— Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Jamaica’s petition is based on an 1833 law that made the committee the highest court for civil and criminal appeals in the British Empire.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of criminal

Browse Nearby Words

shamefaced

shameful

shameless

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“Shameful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shameful. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shameful

adjective

Example Sentences

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