intense shame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intense shame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong feeling of embarrassment or guilt about something one has done or experienced. Example: "After realizing the impact of his actions, he was overwhelmed by intense shame."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The intense shame about AIDS and the resulting secrecy make it futile to try to determine how many Japanese are infected by H.I.V.

The New Yorker

After Hadala had expressed her intense shame to her in-laws, the family approached the village council head, Chahat Ram, to ask if funds were available.

The Guardian

In 1591 ambitious young miniaturists grappled with the seductive allure of Venetian painting, and felt intense shame when they rejected the tradition of their fathers and workshop masters.

The New York Times - Books

There are certain common reactions to the distress of sexual assault: wanting to wash immediately and repeatedly, secrecy about what has happened, feelings of intense shame.

The Guardian - Opinion

Danny's tendency towards intense shame, to lash out at others when he feels humiliated, seems certain to result in him hurting someone.

The Guardian - Books

Just as the military's interrogators knew the intense shame Muslim men feel when stripped naked and viewed by women, or when forced to wear women's underwear on their heads, so did Bassam deeply feel that shame himself.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Accumulating evidence suggests that AIDS orphanhood status is accompanied by increased levels of psychological distress such as anxiety, depression, intense guilt, shame, and anger.

Social Science & Medicine

I felt intense pain, shame and guilt.

Los Angeles Times

And in my experience, at least, intense personal shame is a much more effective conduit for change than some government body telling you what you shouldn't be doing.

Vice

The intense societal shaming and criminalization of her addictions led to more resistance by my mother to seek the treatment she needed, until she eventually stopped trying to quit altogether.

Harvard University

"Most of the women I see are survivors of interpersonal violence, sexual assault, intense sexual shaming, or childhood trauma".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intense shame" when you want to emphasize the powerful and overwhelming nature of the feeling. It's effective in conveying the depth of emotional distress experienced by an individual.

Common error

Avoid using "intense shame" interchangeably with milder forms of embarrassment or guilt. "Intense shame" signifies a profound and deeply rooted feeling, not a fleeting moment of awkwardness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intense shame" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where the adjective "intense" modifies the noun "shame", amplifying its meaning. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this construction in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intense shame" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression for conveying a strong feeling of embarrassment or guilt. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts. While synonyms like "profound shame" or "deep shame" exist, "intense shame" effectively communicates the severity of the emotion. It's important to use this phrase appropriately, reserving it for situations that genuinely warrant such a powerful description. The phrase appears frequently in news and media sources, but its use is also documented in scientific and academic contexts, making it a versatile expression for conveying significant emotional distress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound shame

Replaces "intense" with "profound", emphasizing the depth of the feeling.

deep shame

Substitutes "intense" with "deep", highlighting the magnitude of the shame.

overwhelming shame

Replaces "intense" with "overwhelming", indicating that the feeling is overpowering.

acute shame

Substitutes "intense" with "acute", suggesting a sharp and severe feeling of shame.

severe shame

Replaces "intense" with "severe", conveying the gravity and seriousness of the shame.

extreme shame

Substitutes "intense" with "extreme", emphasizing the furthest degree of shame.

consuming shame

Replaces "intense" with "consuming", implying that the shame completely fills the person.

burning shame

Uses "burning" to describe the sensation, adding a visceral element.

crippling shame

Emphasizes the incapacitating effect of the shame.

unbearable shame

Highlights the difficulty in enduring the shame.

FAQs

How can I use "intense shame" in a sentence?

You can use "intense shame" to describe a profound feeling of embarrassment or guilt. For example, "He felt "intense shame" after his mistake was revealed publicly".

What's the difference between "intense shame" and "mild embarrassment"?

"Intense shame" refers to a deeply negative and overwhelming emotion linked to one's self-worth, while mild embarrassment is a lighter, more transient feeling of awkwardness. Use "intense shame" when the situation involves a significant moral or social transgression.

What are some alternatives to using "intense shame"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "profound shame", "deep shame", or "overwhelming shame". Choose the phrase that best reflects the severity and nature of the feeling you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "intense shame" in formal writing?

Yes, "intense shame" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a significant emotional experience. Ensure that the context warrants the use of such a strong term, and that it aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your writing.