shameful

adjective

ˈshām-fəl How to pronounce shameful (audio)
Definition of shamefulnext
as in notorious
not respectable shameful behavior by a bunch of drunken boors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shameful The landmark, a reminder of a shameful portion of the nation’s past, was nearly removed. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026 Going to the therapist may be a standing appointment that's as routine as a visit to the doctor, not a shameful secret. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 June 2026 In Kindred, Octavia Butler masterfully blends time travel with historical slave narratives to craft a harrowing, poignant critique of the most shameful American institution. — Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026 The Chief Financial Officer of Florida, Blaise Ingoglia, continues his dog and pony show around the state claiming to have unearthed shameful, excessive spending by counties and municipalities. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shameful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shameful
  1. notorious
  2. infamous
  3. shady
  4. immoral
  5. criminal
  6. disgraceful
Adjective
  • The memory industry is notorious for its boom and bust cycles.
    — Bailey Lipschultz, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • One of the most notorious lynchings during the Jim Crow period in America was of Leo Frank, a Jewish man.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of notorious
Adjective
  • The Balboa Peninsula, which Stapleton represents on the council, has historically been an infamous hot spot for public drinking, disruptive parties and brawls throughout the summer and especially during the Fourth of July.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • The infamous Cristiano Ronaldo bust leads the list of sports statutes that have received less-than-flattering reviews.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Definition of infamous
Adjective
  • The weather service also cautions the heat index is calculated for shady areas only.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • That makes these networks valuable for people trying to hide mass scraping, fake ad clicks, account attacks or other shady activity.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of shady
Adjective
  • Some rabbinic readings attribute Lot’s hesitation to leave Sodom to his immoral greed and inordinate wealth.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • Court records show that 60-year-old Bradley Kyle Martin, of Dearborn Heights, is charged with using a computer or internet to communicate with another person to commit a crime and accosting children for immoral purposes.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 25 June 2026
Definition of immoral
Adjective
  • Kayden Bordley, 19, faces one count each of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action, according to a Jackson County charging document.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
  • The Chino Police Department is leading the criminal investigation.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • What is truly disgraceful is leveraging your skin color to remain employed while insisting that white privilege is responsible for your own shortcomings.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
  • Maradona was subject to disgraceful physical treatment and still won the match, well, single-handedly.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Definition of disgraceful

Browse Nearby Words

shamefaced
shameful
shameless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shameful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shameful. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shameful

Nglish: Translation of shameful for Spanish Speakers

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