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.

In retrospect, I’m sorry and ashamed that I never spoke with Charles R. I also never saw anyone else do so.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

"I do like to address it in an interview, it's not something I want to hide, it's not something I'm embarrassed or ashamed of, I want to address it."

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Hollywood legend Richard Gere on Thursday said he was "ashamed" of the way the United States is handling migration as he launched an initiative to change attitudes to the topic in Berlin.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

The head coach shouting harsh critiques from the sideline, the assistant coach there to put his arm around you when you made it, crestfallen and ashamed, back to the bench.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

“You should be ashamed of yourselves, treating her like that. She’s a little girl, not a spy on Mission Impossible.”

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Vocabulary lists containing ashamed

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