ashamed

[uh-sheymd] / əˈʃeɪmd /

ADJECTIVE

regretting, remorseful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apologetic bashful contrite distraught distressed embarrassed guilty hesitant humble humbled humiliated regretful reluctant repentant shy sorry

WEAK

abashed blushing chagrined compunctious conscience-stricken crestfallen debased demeaned discomfited disconcerted flustered meek mortified muddled penitent shamed shamefaced sheepish stammering stuttering submissive

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm glad happy joyful unrepentant unshy

WEAK

bold defiant immodest not sorry shameless unregretful unremorseful unself-conscious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I know there are many who use 'socialist' as a dirty word, something to be ashamed of," the 34-year-old told a packed room in Queens.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

In interviews, he has emphasized that his time working at Trader Joe’s was never something to be ashamed of, but rather only something others chose to misunderstand.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

"It is a real thing that people shouldn't be ashamed of or feel embarrassed about," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

“I’m ashamed when I see you. I realize you put a lot of trust in me, and it might look like I’m betraying you.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Because it wasn’t as if I’d done anything I should be ashamed about, if you didn’t count stupidly agreeing to a hug, which really, I’d needed to do to escape the band room.

From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee

Vocabulary lists containing ashamed

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