— shamable, shameable , adj. — shamably, shameably , adv.
/shaym/ , n. , v. , shamed, shaming .
n.
1. the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc., done by oneself or another: She was overcome with shame.
2. susceptibility to this feeling: to be without shame.
3. disgrace; ignominy: His actions brought shame upon his parents.
4. a fact or circumstance bringing disgrace or regret: The bankruptcy of the business was a shame. It was a shame you couldn't come with us.
5. for shame! you should feel ashamed!: What a thing to say to your mother! For shame!
6. put to shame ,
a. to cause to suffer shame or disgrace.
b. to outdo; surpass: She played so well she put all the other tennis players to shame.
v.t.
7. to cause to feel shame; make ashamed: His cowardice shamed him.
8. to drive, force, etc., through shame: He shamed her into going.
9. to cover with ignominy or reproach; disgrace.
[ bef. 900; (n.) ME; OE sc ( e ) amu; c. G Scham, ON skomm; (v.) ME schamen, shamien to be ashamed, OE sc ( e ) amian, deriv. of the n. ]
Syn. 1. SHAME, EMBARRASSMENT, MORTIFICATION, HUMILIATION, CHAGRIN designate different kinds or degrees of painful feeling caused by injury to one's pride or self-respect. SHAME is a painful feeling caused by the consciousness or exposure of unworthy or indecent conduct or circumstances: One feels shame at being caught in a lie. It is similar to guilt in the nature and origin of the feeling. EMBARRASSMENT usually refers to a feeling less painful than that of SHAME, one associated with less serious situations, often of a social nature: embarrassment over breaking a teacup at a party.
MORTIFICATION is a more painful feeling, akin to SHAME but also more likely to arise from specifically social circumstances: his mortification at being singled out for rebuke. HUMILIATION is mortification at being humbled in the estimation of others: Being ignored gives one a sense of humiliation. CHAGRIN is humiliation mingled with vexation or anger: She felt chagrin at her failure to remember her promise. 7. humiliate, mortify, humble, abash, embarrass.
Ant. 1. pride, self-esteem, self-respect.