shameful

adjective

shame·​ful ˈshām-fəl How to pronounce shameful (audio)
1
a
: bringing shame : disgraceful
b
: arousing the feeling of shame
2
archaic : full of the feeling of shame : ashamed
shamefully adverb
shamefulness noun

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
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.
The Lakers trailed by as many as 27 points, their performance at Crypto.com Arena so shameful that even one of the worst coaches in franchise history felt emboldened enough to criticize their current sideline leader. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025 Trump’s reign of terror recalls a shameful chapter in our history: The alien and sedition acts of 1798, under which journalists were jailed for criticizing President John Adams. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025 But the incident — and developments since then — shows that the Trump administration’s crackdown on the First Amendment, and pro-Palestinian speech in particular, has a long and shameful history. Abdallah Fayyad, Vox, 27 Mar. 2025 What happened to them and the other prisoners in U.S. internment camps was a shameful episode in our country’s history. Karen Ebel, TIME, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shameful

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of shameful was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Shameful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shameful. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

shameful

adjective
shame·​ful ˈshām-fəl How to pronounce shameful (audio)
1
: bringing shame
shameful behavior
2
: arousing the feeling of shame
a shameful sight
shamefully adverb
shamefulness
-fəl-nəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shameful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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