source of shame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "source of shame" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that causes feelings of embarrassment or guilt. An example is: "His failure to meet expectations became a source of shame for him." Alternative expressions include "cause of embarrassment" and "source of regret."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's a quieter, longer source of shame.

The New Yorker

That should be a source of shame.

The Guardian - Opinion

To be Jewish, then, was not a source of shame.

The New Yorker

Masturbating should not be a source of shame.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gone are the days, it seems, when the veggie burger was almost a source of shame.

The New York Times - Food

What parts of our body will be the next source of shame?

Independent

Before hip-hop, living in the projects had been a source of shame.

The New Yorker

Their sexuality is viewed as a source of shame and is bound with family honour.

The Guardian

Mary Cheney's sexual orientation is no secret, nor should it be a source of shame.

The New York Times

It's when the clinging thin-knit sweater you thought was suave becomes a source of shame.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Stuart Gulliver, the C.E.O. of H.S.B.C., acknowledged that the list had become "a source of shame".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with strong adjectives like "great", "deep", "legitimate" or "quiet" to modulate the intensity of the sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase to describe something that is simply 'shameful' in a general sense if it doesn't actually produce or generate shame. For instance, a 'shameful source' refers to a person or document that is unreliable or bad, whereas a "source of shame" is the thing that causes you to feel ashamed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "source of shame" acts as a complex noun phrase, typically functioning as a subject complement following a linking verb (e.g., "is", "became") or as a direct object. According to Ludwig, it serves to categorize an event, state, or attribute as the root cause of disgrace.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

With over 58 high-quality instances found in the Ludwig database, "source of shame" is established as a highly effective and common expression in professional journalism and literature. Sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ it to critique political actions, social injustices, or personal failings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and structural versatility. The phrase effectively bridges the gap between personal emotion and public condemnation, making it a powerful tool for writers aiming to evoke a sense of moral accountability or deep regret in their audience without sounding overly informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for shame

A direct synonym that is slightly more functional and less evocative than source

cause of embarrassment

Reduces the moral weight, focusing more on social awkwardness than deep guilt

point of humiliation

Emphasizes the wounding of pride or the public nature of the failure

mark of disgrace

Suggests a more visible or permanent stain on one's reputation

source of stigma

Focuses on the social labeling and subsequent discrimination resulting from the condition

matter of dishonor

Emphasizes the violation of a code of conduct or ethical standard

reason for regret

Shifts the focus to a personal sense of loss or a wish that things had been different

badge of dishonor

An idiomatic expression that implies a visible, albeit negative, distinction

wellspring of guilt

Uses more poetic language to describe an internal, overflowing sense of wrongdoing

blot on the record

More clinical and administrative, often used in professional or historical contexts

FAQs

How to use "source of shame" in a sentence?

You can use it to identify the cause of disgrace, for example: "The rising rate of poverty in such a wealthy nation is a "source of shame" for the government."

What can I say instead of "source of shame"?

Depending on the severity, you might use "cause of embarrassment" for lighter situations or "mark of disgrace" for more serious moral failings.

Is "source of shame" considered formal English?

Yes, it is a sophisticated and formal expression. As seen in Ludwig, it is frequently used in high-level journalism such as "The New York Times" and "The New Yorker".

What is the opposite of a "source of shame"?

The most common antonym is a "source of pride", which refers to something that causes a sense of satisfaction or honor.