SHAMING Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

shaming

verb

Definition of shaming

present participle of shame

as in humiliating

to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes shamed the family name with his conviction for embezzlement

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of shaming Their songs confronted rape culture, body shaming and the politics of gender while making room for queerness, friendship and collective strength — subjects that, as the band now sees it, remain painfully current. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026 In 2019, Moore’s eldest daughter opened up about her struggles with body shaming and low self-esteem as a teen. — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 Her suggestion is to ask teens how their online experiences feel rather than shaming the scrolling. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026 City officials insist this isn't about publicly shaming drivers. — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 The public-shaming impulse has been, at times, a reaction to years of bad behavior—particularly among men accustomed to getting away with a lot and facing very few repercussions. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 Meanwhile parents aren’t necessarily dismissing or shaming the grandparents parenting style, just making different choices. — Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 17 July 2026 Now people are using everything from workplace bans, apps and even old-fashioned public shaming to stop the casual surveillance. — Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 8 July 2026 Last year, a judge threw out the accusations of body shaming following a motion from Lizzo’s team that argued that events like the nude show outings were protected free speech as part of the creative process. — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaming

Verb

The Iranians are now setting the terms of this conflict and are routinely humiliating the American president.

— Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026

Definition of humiliating

Verb

The release of his diaries though, revealed some thoroughly discrediting and upsetting details about Fauci's private beliefs.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Kiryl Pazniak, 49, who hosted a popular political show on YouTube, has been convicted on the charges of discrediting Belarus and forming an extremist organization, the group said — accusations widely used by authorities to stifle critical voices.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of discrediting

Verb

The comprehensive regimen is meant to uncover any prior criminal conduct in an applicant’s past as well as embarrassing personal information that could make an employee vulnerable to blackmail.

— Eric Tucker, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Since then, Hochman has been slammed for playing politics, embarrassing his office and even backing down for no reason other than the pressure was too intense.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of embarrassing

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shaming

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“Shaming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaming. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shaming

verb

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