shameful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shameful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is deserving of shame or disgrace, often in a moral or ethical context. Example: "The politician's actions were deemed shameful by the public, leading to widespread outrage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Money

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tessa Gregory, a solicitor at Public Interest Lawyers who is acting on behalf on Birmingham students challenging the claim, described the university authority's actions as shameful and draconian.

The Guardian

It is a shameful attempt by the university to prevent students from exercising their lawful right to protest".

The Guardian

Back then, women's "soccer" was frequently depicted as a joke – or even something slightly shameful.

The Guardian - Sport

The former foreign secretary Malcolm Rifkind went further, saying the papers showed "Labour up to its neck in a shoddy business, one of the most foolish and shameful decisions in recent years".

The Guardian

"None of my instructors knew, because it was a shameful thing," says Williams.

The Guardian - Money

In Chichester he had enjoyed singing with the choir but that opportunity was not available to him at school in the US, where singing was considered "effeminate" and "shameful" among the boys.

The Guardian - Music

After three long and painful months full of heated discussions, it was finally agreed that the colleague who complained would issue my partner's payment every month but that the name of my partner would not appear on the receipt so she would not have to face her team with the shameful news, which was her major concern.

The Guardian

Rabbit-Proof Fence was the film that brought one of the most shameful episodes in Australia's history to the attention of the world.

The Guardian - Film

I had some minor consciousness of widespread violence against Tasmania's Aboriginal people, and I was moved by the shameful stories of the forced removal of Aboriginal children.

The Guardian

Politicians from both sides are trying to represent it as a political conflict, and are trying to solve it with the usual political methods – through secret deals and shameful compromises, hypnotising rebels with the prospects of "voting" and "negotiations".

The Guardian - Opinion

In a letter to the judge, Bygraves admitted the attack was the "most horrible, horrific, shameful crime" he has committed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about historical events or societal issues, use "shameful" to highlight episodes that reflect poorly on a group or nation's past conduct.

Common error

Avoid using "shameful" in contexts where the judgment is purely subjective or based on personal preference. Instead, reserve it for situations with clear ethical or moral implications.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "shameful" primarily functions to attribute a quality of being deserving of shame or disgrace to a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in describing actions, decisions, or situations considered morally wrong or dishonorable. For example, "a shameful crime".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Film

9%

Money

6%

Less common in

Opinion

6%

Sport

4%

Lifestyle

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shameful" is a commonly used adjective to describe something deserving of disgrace or dishonor, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions to express disapproval and is frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. When writing, be mindful of using "shameful" in appropriate contexts where there are clear ethical or moral implications, and consider alternatives like "disgraceful" or "scandalous" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disgraceful

Indicates a loss of reputation or respect, similar to "shameful" but emphasizes the act of bringing dishonor.

ignominious

Suggests a public or notorious disgrace, carrying a stronger sense of humiliation than "shameful".

scandalous

Refers to something that causes public outrage and condemnation, often involving moral impropriety.

reprehensible

Describes conduct that is highly deserving of criticism or condemnation, focusing on moral wrongness.

deplorable

Expresses strong disapproval or regret, often used for situations that are shockingly bad or unacceptable.

atrocious

Highlights extreme wickedness or cruelty, indicating a more intense level of negativity than "shameful".

outrageous

Emphasizes a shocking or unacceptable violation of standards, often provoking anger and indignation.

discreditable

Describes something that damages one's reputation or credibility, suggesting a loss of trustworthiness.

dishonorable

Implies a lack of integrity or ethical principles, focusing on a violation of moral obligations.

disreputable

Suggests a bad reputation or a lack of respectability, often associated with questionable behavior or associations.

FAQs

How to use "shameful" in a sentence?

You can use "shameful" to describe actions, events, or situations that are deserving of disgrace or dishonor. For example, "The company's exploitation of its workers was a "shameful" act."

What can I say instead of "shameful"?

You can use alternatives like "disgraceful", "ignominious", or "scandalous" depending on the specific context and the level of intensity you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "shameful"?

"Shameful" is appropriate when describing something that violates moral or ethical standards, causing a sense of disgrace or dishonor. It is best used when there is a clear consensus that the action or situation is wrong.

What's the difference between "shameful" and "shameless"?

"Shameful" describes something that is deserving of shame, while "shameless" describes someone who shows no shame or embarrassment, even when they should.