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 But shaming someone, no matter how shameful their behavior may have been, isn’t the way to convince them to do better. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 Finally, Ericka has a shameful secret of her own, one that Paulina is determined to use against her. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026 City official calls removal ‘unnecessary escalation’ As the meeting continued, another attendee called Miller’s removal from the chambers disappointing and shameful to see someone who was speaking up thrown to the ground. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 His greatest series let people see a character who has revealed the filthiest, most shameful parts of themselves, and imagine them as a mirror. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 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
  • Durham was later apprehended and served time in prison for the crime, but not before selling the paintings to a notorious crime boss who was later found in possession of the art.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Operation Save Skid Row saw federal and city authorities execute 28 arrest warrants and 44 search warrants in an effort to dismantle drug distribution networks in the notorious neighborhood.
    — Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of notorious
Adjective
  • The basic set-up, for years, was just a comic ripping off a joke and performing it on stage; the infamous mid-2000s Comedy Store stand-off between Joe Rogan and alleged joke thief Carlos Mencia is one of the most famous examples.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • This entire ordeal can be traced back to the infamous BCS formula, which captivated audiences with computer rankings that led to fans essentially yelling at computers at seasons end.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of infamous
Adjective
  • The fake image was attention-grabbing, shady, and timely — in other words, perfect for social media virality but a potential liability for the parties involved.
    — Mia Sato, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
  • If weather permits, be sure to dine at Oliveto Restaurant & Lounge Bar, which sits beneath a shady grove of trees and overlooks the pool and vineyard.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of shady
Adjective
  • Central to the exhibition is the tension between the honorable and the immoral, the appealing and the revolting.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Luca Guadagnino’s Artificial premiered at New York Film Festival last night and left many people wondering, Just how funny can a movie about both the terrible capacity of generative AI and the immoral people in charge of it be?
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of immoral
Adjective
  • The charges include organized theft and criminal association, said Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Russell Brand has arrived to London’s Southwark Crown Court for the start of his criminal trial.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • And this is an indelible stain on the country of Norway, and those people that made such a disgraceful and embarrassing decision.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Sterling spent decades turning the Clippers into the NBA’s cheapest, most incompetent and most disgraceful organization.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 3 Sep. 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 19 Oct. 2026.

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