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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Most of them just want to have it out there without being ashamed. 
Steve Larese, Outside Online, 30 Aug. 2022 There is no reason to be ashamed of your recent struggles. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 Mahaffey, Hardy said, was not ashamed of his Christianity. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 22 Aug. 2022 To those with an alcoholic parent, an estranged loved one, or a homeless friend: Don’t be ashamed, lean into others for help. Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2022 This clever film creates opportunities for positive conversations that help reduce girls feeling confused, scared, even ashamed. orlandosentinel.com, 1 Apr. 2022 According to some behaviorists, becoming white is a frequent fantasy among minorities, though most are too ashamed to admit it. Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 One often hears that young Dagestani men are ashamed to stay back in the village, whole and unharmed, while their brothers are fighting. Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2022 For example, people with social anxiety can fear being judged by others but may be too ashamed to admit it to people. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 12 Aug. 2022 See More
Steve Larese, Outside Online, 30 Aug. 2022 There is no reason to be ashamed of your recent struggles. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 Mahaffey, Hardy said, was not ashamed of his Christianity. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 22 Aug. 2022 To those with an alcoholic parent, an estranged loved one, or a homeless friend: Don’t be ashamed, lean into others for help. Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2022 This clever film creates opportunities for positive conversations that help reduce girls feeling confused, scared, even ashamed. orlandosentinel.com, 1 Apr. 2022 According to some behaviorists, becoming white is a frequent fantasy among minorities, though most are too ashamed to admit it. Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 One often hears that young Dagestani men are ashamed to stay back in the village, whole and unharmed, while their brothers are fighting. Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2022 For example, people with social anxiety can fear being judged by others but may be too ashamed to admit it to people. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 12 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
ashamed
adjective
ə-ˈshāmd
1
: feeling shame, guilt, or disgrace
I'm ashamed of my behavior.
2
: kept from doing something by fear of shame or embarrassment
He was ashamed to beg.
ashamed
adjective
as in guilty
suffering from or expressive of a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing was ashamed that she had lied to the interviewer wearing a very ashamed look Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- guilty
- shamed
- shamefaced
- embarrassed
- apologetic
- remorseful
- repentant
- contrite
- regretful
- penitent
- chagrined
- sorry
- sheepish
- blushing
- culpable
- rueful
- blameworthy
- penitential
- compunctious
- hangdog
- blamable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unashamed
- shameless
- unrepentant
- impudent
- brazen
- remorseless
- blameless
- unapologetic
- innocent
- cheeky
- impenitent
- guiltless