shameful
10 synonyms and 3 antonyms for shameful, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Deserving of shame or disgrace; disgraceful.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use shameful
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a shameful act
shameful behaviour
it is shameful that
Etymology
From Old English sceamfull, built from shame plus the suffix -ful, literally "full of shame."
Full origin of shameful →Frequently asked questions
What does “shameful” mean?
The word “shameful” means deserving of shame or disgrace; disgraceful. In plain terms, so bad or wrong that it should make you feel ashamed.
How do you pronounce “shameful”?
“Shameful” is pronounced SHAYM-fuhl (/ˈʃeɪmfəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “shameful” in a sentence?
Here is “shameful” used in a sentence: “It was shameful the way he treated his own family.”
What is another word for “shameful”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shameful” include despicable.
What part of speech is “shameful”?
“Shameful” is an adjective.
Where does the word “shameful” come from?
The word “shameful” comes from Old English. From Old English sceamfull, built from shame plus the suffix -ful, literally "full of shame.".
Is “shameful” a common word?
“Shameful” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between shameful and shameless?
Shameful describes something deserving of shame or disgrace, such as an action that is disgraceful. Shameless describes a person or act that shows no shame or embarrassment at all, which is almost the opposite quality.
Is shameful stronger than embarrassing?
Yes. Shameful implies a moral judgment that something is disgraceful and deserving of shame, while embarrassing simply describes discomfort or awkwardness without necessarily implying wrongdoing.
Can shameful describe both actions and situations?
Yes. Shameful can describe an action, such as shameful behaviour, or a broader situation or state of affairs, such as a shameful lack of resources, as long as it is deserving of shame or disgrace.
