dread of shame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dread of shame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong fear or anxiety about experiencing shame or embarrassment. Example: "Her dread of shame kept her from speaking up during the meeting, even when she had valuable insights to share."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That fear of exposure is shame, or the dread of shame.

HuffPost

Despite my initial nervousness (see my earlier blog, "Confessions of a Psychoanalyst: Performance Anxiety and the Dread of Shame"), the 400 attendees welcomed me so warmly and graciously that I soon felt right at home.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Reluctance to share knowledge of medical symptoms with associates or kin and medical professionals may stem from fear of disability or death; avoidance of discrimination in insurance, employment and education; or dread of social stigma, shame, embarrassment or rejection.

SEP

It joined Iron Maiden's 'Eddie' and Newton Faulker's ginger dreads in the Hall Of Shame's Most Ridiculous Pop Props.

The Guardian

Don't get me wrong, efforts to address the indignity of period poverty are indeed laudable, and make a real difference to people whose monthly cycles are a persistent source of dread and shame due to something as arbitrary as money.

The Guardian - Opinion

He spoke about the dread and the shame of applying for and being denied jobs with a history like that looming over him.

Vice

Walk of shame?

Independent

Empathy, that word so dreaded by Sere (8), and a stand-in, in his lexicon, for little more than weakness and pusillanimity, is one healer of shame and perhaps, as I reflect on it now, why I appealed to it in cases where guilt can subtly mask shame.

The New York Times

What is the trigger of shame?

Evolution and Human Behavior

His lack of shame becomes our shame".

The New Yorker

There were chants of "Shame!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "fear of humiliation" or "anxiety about disgrace" for variety in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "dread of shame" to describe a situation where shame is already being experienced. "Dread" implies anticipation, so use it to express a fear of future shame, not a current state.

Linguistic Context

Dread of shame functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. It denotes a specific type of fear, namely, the fear associated with experiencing shame. Ludwig confirms this usage, providing examples from various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dread of shame" is a noun phrase expressing the fear of experiencing shame. Ludwig's analysis, supported by real-world examples, confirms that it's a grammatically correct and semantically valid expression, though relatively rare in usage. It's best used to describe the anticipation of shame rather than the present experience of it. Related phrases include "fear of humiliation" and "anxiety about disgrace", which can offer variety in writing. While the phrase can appear in different types of sources, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Ludwig AI's assessment confirms the expression is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fear of humiliation

Focuses on the fear aspect and the specific emotion of humiliation.

anxiety about disgrace

Emphasizes the anxiety associated with the potential for disgrace.

avoidance of embarrassment

Highlights the behavioral aspect of avoiding situations that could cause embarrassment.

apprehension of shame

Uses a more formal term ('apprehension') to convey a sense of unease and anticipation of shame.

terror of disgrace

Increases the intensity of the feeling to terror, indicating a stronger fear.

horror of humiliation

Similar to 'terror,' but uses 'horror' to describe the intense fear of humiliation.

panic about shame

Indicates a sudden and overwhelming feeling of fear related to shame.

unease regarding shame

Suggests a mild form of discomfort and worry about potential shame.

distress over shame

Highlights the suffering and mental anguish caused by the fear of shame.

worry about dishonor

Focuses on the fear of losing honor and reputation, which can lead to shame.

FAQs

What does "dread of shame" mean?

"Dread of shame" refers to a strong feeling of fear or anxiety about experiencing shame or humiliation in the future. It's the anticipation of feeling ashamed, not the feeling itself.

How can I use "dread of shame" in a sentence?

You can use "dread of shame" to describe someone's reluctance to do something for fear of embarrassment. For example: "Her "dread of shame" kept her from speaking up, even when she knew the answer."

What are some alternatives to "dread of shame"?

Alternatives to "dread of shame" include "fear of humiliation", "anxiety about disgrace", or "avoidance of embarrassment". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "dread of shame" the same as feeling ashamed?

No, "dread of shame" is not the same as feeling ashamed. "Dread" implies a fear or anticipation of a future event or feeling, while "shame" is the actual feeling of embarrassment or disgrace. "Dread of shame" is the fear before the shameful event.