shame

1 of 2

noun

ˈshām 

1

a

: a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety

b

: the susceptibility to such emotion

have you no shame?

2

: a condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute : ignominy

the shame of being arrested

3

a

: something that brings censure or reproach

also : something to be regretted : pity

it's a shame you can't go

b

: a cause of feeling shame

shame

2 of 2

verb

shamed; shaming

transitive verb

1

: to bring shame to : disgrace

shamed the family name

2

: to put to shame by outdoing

3

: to cause to feel shame

4

: to force by causing to feel guilty

shamed into confessing

Synonyms of shame

Noun

• remorse
• guilt
• regret
• remorsefulness

Verb

• humiliate
• discredit
• disgrace
• embarrass

Examples of shame in a Sentence

Noun

He felt shame for his lies.

How could you be so rude? Have you no shame?

Her crimes brought shame upon her family.

He had to endure the shame of being fired.

Verb

He was shamed by his behavior at the party.

shamed the family name with his conviction for embezzlement

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The shame lies with the governments who ignored the AIDS crisis and the stigma that was around people and the innate prejudice that was in society. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Accordingly, some straight men feel shame about their interest. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026

Verb

In solving Birkin’s everyday problem, Dumas also created one of fashion’s most elusive status symbols, with a resale value capable of shaming many a Ferrari. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

As news of the allegations spread, some discussions were supportive of Doe, but others shamed her in conversations, a former member of Doe’s sorority, Delta Delta Delta, told NBC News. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English scamu; akin to Old High German scama shame

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shame

• a crying shame
• body-shame
• fat-shame
• hang one's head in shame
• put (someone or something) to shame
• shame on (someone)

Rhymes for shame

• aim
• blame
• brame
• came
• claim
• dame
• fame
• flame
• frame
• game
• haim
• lame

Kids Definition

shame

1 of 2 noun

ˈshām 

1

a

: a painful emotion caused by having done something wrong or improper

b

: ability to feel shame

have you no shame?

2

: dishonor entry 1 sense 1, disgrace

3

: something that brings disgrace or causes shame or strong regret

4

: something to be regretted : pity

it's a shame you'll miss the show

shame

2 of 2 verb

shamed; shaming

1

: to bring shame to : disgrace

2

: to cause to feel shame

3

: to force by causing to feel guilty

they were shamed into confessing