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as in disgraces
the state of having lost the esteem of others
left the room in shame after his angry outburst
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in humiliates
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shames
Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Critics say the sequence is built upon dubious data, overlooks racial disparities and shames students who are raised in single-parent households.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
The Ioniq 9 shames the Lexus TX’s ride quality, feels far more premium than any Hyundai has a right to, and at first blush, matches that of the sublime Cadillac Lyriq in most ways.
—Cyril Soliman, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026
While the marketplace hasn’t caught up, many are vocal about denouncing rhetoric that shames older women with the hopes that, one day, everyone will catch on.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
Here are 8 books that reveal covert lives, truths that society forbids or shames, and an effusion of vibrant spirit.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Critics say the sequence is built upon dubious data, overlooks racial disparities and shames students who are raised in single-parent households.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
The Ioniq 9 shames the Lexus TX’s ride quality, feels far more premium than any Hyundai has a right to, and at first blush, matches that of the sublime Cadillac Lyriq in most ways.
—Cyril Soliman, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026
While the marketplace hasn’t caught up, many are vocal about denouncing rhetoric that shames older women with the hopes that, one day, everyone will catch on.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shames
Noun
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Had all those court cases and public disgraces dampened his hubris?—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Incompetent leadership humiliates us on the global stage.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
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And the President doesn’t seem to mind if Vance humiliates himself running errands.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The praiseworthyness of having both sides of the debate evaporates when the host actively discredits the expert and reflexively enhances the legitimacy of the conspiracy theorist.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
1 Dec. 2025
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Yet despite its popularity, research discredits this long-standing belief.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Graft inquiry embarrasses Zelensky Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram announcement that the investigation into Yermak is ongoing.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shames. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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