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 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

Sean Penn, Hollywood's eternal rebel, on Sunday won a third Oscar for his comic yet terrifying portrayal of an absurdly uptight soldier ashamed of his past in "One Battle After Another."

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 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

I miss a place that did not make me feel ashamed about my most outlandish yearnings and dreams.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

Then I covered my face with my hands, ashamed.

From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

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