ashamed

adjective

ə-ˈshāmd 

1

a

: feeling shame, guilt, or disgrace

She felt ashamed for hitting her brother.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Losing is nothing to be ashamed of.

He was deeply ashamed of his behavior.

b

: feeling inferior or unworthy

2

: reluctant or unwilling to do something because of shame or embarrassment

I was ashamed to be seen with him.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I don't know the answer.

ashamedly

ə-ˈshā-məd-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• guilty
• shamed
• shamefaced

Examples of ashamed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The people running this organization should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025

That’s plain wrong, and the justices ought to be ashamed. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025

That’s part of what the show is about: Letting the feeling in and not being afraid or ashamed to have it. —Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025

The young Jamie desperately wants his father’s approval, but his dad is ashamed of him. —Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English āscamod, past participle of āscamian to shame, from ā- (perfective prefix) + scamian to shame — more at abide, shame

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for ashamed

• counterclaimed
• unashamed
• abovenamed
• acclaimed
• declaimed
• defamed
• disclaimed
• exclaimed
• inflamed
• misnamed
• nicknamed
• proclaimed

Kids Definition

ashamed

adjective

ə-ˈshāmd 

1

: feeling shame, guilt, or disgrace

ashamed of my behavior

2

: kept from doing something by an expectation of shame

ashamed to beg

ashamedly

-ˈshā-məd-lē 

adverb