shame

Something disappointing or unfortunate that you wish were different.

• It's a shame you missed dinner.
• What a shame about the weather!
• It was a shame to leave so early.

How to use it: a shame that… (It's a shame that you can't come.); a shame to do something (It would be a shame to waste this food.)

Similar words: pity

Common phrases: a real shame, what a shame, a crying shame

A painful feeling that you have done something wrong or that others may think badly of you.

• She felt shame after lying.
• He lowered his head in shame.
• Their kindness helped me overcome my shame.

How to use it: shame about something (He felt shame about his cruel words.)

Similar words: guilt, embarrassment

Opposites: pride

Common phrases: feel shame, deep shame, shame about something, shame at something

To criticize someone, often publicly, so they feel bad about their actions or choices.

• Don't shame people for their clothes.
• The newspaper shamed companies that paid unfair wages.
• She refused to join in shaming him online.

How to use it: shame someone for something/doing something (People shamed her online for asking for help.)

Similar words: denounce, humiliate

Common phrases: publicly shame someone, shame someone online, shame someone for

To make someone feel bad about themselves or something they have done.

• His behavior shamed his family.
• Her quiet kindness shamed me more than any angry words.
• He was shamed by his own selfish response.

Similar words: humiliate, embarrass

Common phrases: shame someone, shame someone deeply, shame the family

To make someone do something by making them feel bad about refusing or about their behavior.

• They shamed him into helping.
• The report shamed the company into changing its rules.
• Will public criticism shame them into taking action?

How to use it: shame someone into doing something (Her friends shamed her into apologizing.)

Common phrases: shame someone into, shame into action, shame into silence