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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
  • Krieps played the notorious wife of a Nazi concentration camp commander, Ilsa Koch, who was said to torture prisoners and make household objects out of human skin.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Andrew was notorious for his tight-fistedness, despite his wealth.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 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
  • Beyond the shimmying visit, the mystery of who killed Victor is expected to motor the sophomore season’s overarching storyline, including digging into people from the corrupt politician’s shady past.
    — Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Because in a state whose government is supposed to be blessed with sunshine 365 days a year, Hope Florida is shady as heck.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of shady
Adjective
  • What’s so immoral about a goal scored accidentally with a hand or arm anyway?
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • He was branded a heretic, in part for preaching that the nobility were immoral and so was nobility itself.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of immoral
Adjective
  • Initially arrested and charged in connection with Houston’s death in fall 2025, Franklin has also been charged in two additional criminal incidents.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The probe echoes investigations into the deaths of actor Matthew Perry and rapper Mac Miller, both of which resulted in criminal charges for their respective drug suppliers.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • 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
  • Some have advised me and others to get rid of the disgraceful invader rose of Sharon.
    — Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 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 Sep. 2026.

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