shameful

adjective

shame·​ful ˈshām-fəl 

1

a

: bringing shame : disgraceful

b

: arousing the feeling of shame

2

archaic : full of the feeling of shame : ashamed

shamefully

ˈshām-fə-lē 

adverb

shamefulness noun

Synonyms

• discreditable
• disgraceful
• dishonorable
• disreputable
• ignominious
• infamous
• louche
• notorious
• opprobrious
• shady
• shoddy
• shy
• unrespectable

Examples of shameful in a Sentence

There is no excuse for such shameful behavior.

shameful behavior by a bunch of drunken boors

Recent Examples on the Web

Our first contender for most shameful red card of the day is Milan full-back Theo Hernandez, who hit the deck after non-existent contact — and that’s being kind — from Feyenoord’s Givairo Read (above). —Ali Rampling, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025

Though when has a shameful past ever stopped anyone getting elected in the United States? —Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025

By Kang-Chun Cheng Contributor Dancing was once shameful for Pamela Achieng. —Kang-Chun Cheng, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Jan. 2025

Tump was hardly alone in trying to turn the crash to political advantage, but even by this president’s rhetorical measures, this was a shameful performance. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

shameful

adjective

shame·​ful ˈshām-fəl 

1

: bringing shame

shameful behavior

2

: arousing the feeling of shame

a shameful sight

shamefully

-fə-lē 

adverb

shamefulness

-fəl-nəs

noun