shameless

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "shameless" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is bold or has no sense of shame or embarrassment. For example, "The politician made a shameless statement without thinking of the consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was an act of misdirection worthy of a cheap stage magician, shifting responsibility for economic failure onto those who were barely out of primary school when it happened, a shameless act of divide and rule.

The Guardian - Opinion

This does not stop the shameless duo from taking full credit for the manna from heaven, and doing their best to present the resulting boost to the economy as all part of their long-term plan.

The Guardian - Business

"It seemed beyond shameless, even by DailyMail.com standards", writes King.

The Guardian

Archaeologist Jack Carlson, writing in Foreign Policy magazine, argues that the wholesale copying of architectural culture may have its roots in something much bigger than shameless commercial borrowing: "The ancient parallels for these copycat projects ­suggest that they are not mere follies, but monumental assertions of China's global primacy".

The Guardian - Arts

Our shameless, rapacious economic elite keep the Conservatives afloat not out of generosity, but because they expect a return.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was the most appropriate motif for heavyweight boxing on a day that was both sensational and, even by the sport's usual standards, utterly shameless.

The Guardian - Sport

According to singer Kristian Bell, Annabel Dream Reader is "a shameless breakup album", though the lyrics are often too drenched in reverb and Bell's Cobainesque howl to be decipherable.

The Guardian - Music

She's right, but for too long we haven't used those new powers responsibly, as we sit, day in day out, looking at screens, too shameless to look away.

The Guardian

His shameless announcement on fare rises today is just one in a long list of similar examples.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sadly they have managed to fool quite a lot of the people quite a lot of the time; but I still hope that their shameless bluff will eventually be called.

The Guardian - Business

On the contrary, in a blatant pre-election bribe, our shameless chancellor has been offering the so-called "grey vote" something for nothing with a new 4% bond issue at a time when most interest rates for savers are close to zero.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shameless" to describe actions or behaviors that demonstrate a blatant disregard for morality, ethics, or social conventions. Ensure the context clearly indicates why the action is considered shameless.

Common error

Avoid using "shameless" in casual conversations or informal writing where a milder term like 'bold' or 'cheeky' would be more appropriate. "Shameless" carries a strong negative connotation and should be reserved for situations involving genuine moral failings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shameless" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a lack of shame, guilt, or remorse. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it is used in this way, agreeing with Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shameless" functions as an adjective used to express strong disapproval of actions or behaviors that lack any sense of shame or moral compass. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent use. Predominantly found in news and formal contexts, the term is employed by authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The Economist. While grammatically straightforward, it’s crucial to consider the strong negative connotation and appropriateness for the context to avoid overuse or misapplication. Alternatives such as "brazen" or "unscrupulous" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Remember to use "shameless" when you want to express a strong moral condemnation of someone's behaviour.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devoid of shame

Directly states the absence of shame, often implying a deeper moral deficiency.

unblushing

Focuses on the lack of embarrassment or visible reaction to wrongdoing.

unscrupulous

Implies a lack of moral principles, often in a business or political context.

barefaced

Stresses the openness and obviousness of the wrongdoing or lack of shame.

brazen

Suggests boldness and a disregard for societal norms, often in a defiant way.

flagrant

Highlights the blatant and obvious nature of the offense or lack of shame.

impudent

Highlights disrespect and a lack of politeness.

audacious

Emphasizes boldness and a willingness to take risks, sometimes with a negative connotation.

outrageous

Emphasizes the shocking and unacceptable nature of the behavior.

disgraceful

Focuses on the shame and dishonor brought upon someone or something.

FAQs

How to use "shameless" in a sentence?

You can use "shameless" to describe someone or something lacking shame or modesty. For example, "His "shameless promotion" of his own book during the interview was appalling."

What can I say instead of "shameless"?

You can use alternatives like "brazen", "unscrupulous", or "audacious" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "shameless" or "shameful"?

"Shameless" describes someone who exhibits no shame, while "shameful" describes something that causes shame. For example, a "shameless" person might commit a "shameful" act.

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

"Shameless" emphasizes a lack of moral restraint or guilt, while "brazen" emphasizes boldness and audacity, sometimes to the point of being offensive. Someone could be "brazen enough" to do something considered socially unacceptable, but not necessarily "shameless".