shame
This word carries a heavy emotional weight, focusing on the internal collapse of self-worth rather than just external embarrassment. While embarrassment is often a fleeting reaction to a social slip, shame is a deeper, more persistent state where the person feels that they themselves are flawed or bad.
In social contexts, the word shifts from an internal emotion to an external tool of control. When used as a verb, it describes a targeted act of social degradation intended to force compliance or punishment through public exposure of a fault.
Uncountable when referring to the emotional state of feeling humiliated. Countable when referring to a specific disappointing event or a particular instance of a disgraceful act.
Meanings
A painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.
He felt a deep sense of shame after lying to his parents.
To make someone feel ashamed by criticizing them.
The teacher tried not to shame the student in front of the whole class.
A regrettable or disappointing situation.
It is a shame that the concert was canceled due to rain.
Examples
He felt a deep sense of shame after lying to his parents.
The teacher tried not to shame the student in front of the class.
It is a shame that the concert was canceled due to rain.
Phrasal Verbs
shame into
to persuade or coerce someone to do something by making them feel guilty or embarrassed
The company tried to shame the executive into resigning early.