abashed
adjective
ə-ˈbasht 
: made to feel uncomfortable, disconcerted, or embarrassed by something that has happened or been done or said
I stood back, abashed, wondering what I'd done wrong …
Paula Fox
Paula Fox
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web But this year’s bash is looking a little more abashed. New York Times, 10 Nov. 2021 Delphine Hicks—Caroline had waited for her beside the church steps one First Sunday (big meeting day) and had thrown her to the ground and robbed the abashed vampire of her underthings. Zora Neale Hurston, Harper's magazine, 6 Jan. 2020 The video shows a very abashed McKinnon saying goodbye to Ginsburg on the stage following the production. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2019 Privacy concerns cause abashed feeling in Silicon Valley Zuckerberg's potential retort comes after Apple's Cook made comments at the end of March in an interview with Recode's Kara Swisher and MSNBC's Chris Hayes. Chris Ciaccia, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2018 And, many know how to deliver home truths in a way that will elicit abashed agreement rather than anger. Cathie Anderson, sacbee, 9 Mar. 2018 Their reactions varied, from unimpressed to abashed and pained — all of them uncomfortable. Cara Buckley, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2018 See More
New York Times, 10 Nov. 2021 Delphine Hicks—Caroline had waited for her beside the church steps one First Sunday (big meeting day) and had thrown her to the ground and robbed the abashed vampire of her underthings. Zora Neale Hurston, Harper's magazine, 6 Jan. 2020 The video shows a very abashed McKinnon saying goodbye to Ginsburg on the stage following the production. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2019 Privacy concerns cause abashed feeling in Silicon Valley Zuckerberg's potential retort comes after Apple's Cook made comments at the end of March in an interview with Recode's Kara Swisher and MSNBC's Chris Hayes. Chris Ciaccia, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2018 And, many know how to deliver home truths in a way that will elicit abashed agreement rather than anger. Cathie Anderson, sacbee, 9 Mar. 2018 Their reactions varied, from unimpressed to abashed and pained — all of them uncomfortable. Cara Buckley, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English abasshed, from past participle of abaissen, abaschen "to abash"
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
abashed 1 of 2
adjective
as in embarrassed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- embarrassed
- discomfited
- disconcerted
- discomposed
- discomforted
- discountenanced
- bashful
- inhibited
- reserved
- sheepish
- withdrawn
- uptight
- uneasy
- self-conscious
- coy
- introverted
- retiring
- backward
- shy
- demure
- timid
- diffident
- meek
- chagrined
- unadventurous
- self-effacing
- flustered
- disquieted
- mortified
- nonplussed
- unassertive
- recessive
- insecure
- upset
- dismayed
- perturbed
- disturbed
- unassuming
- agitated
- stilted
- bothered
- nervous
- uncomfortable
- gauche
- modest
- rattled
- fazed
- ungraceful
- unpretentious
- inelegant
- distressed
- unenterprising
- nonplused
- rustic
- wooden
- unhinged
- unsettled
- jumpy
- self-doubting
- jittery
- clumsy
- graceless
- awkward
- rustical
- stiff
- rough-hewn
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unperturbed
- confident
- collected
- undisturbed
- calm
- assured
- composed
- serene
- placid
- cool
- secure
- tranquil
- poised
- self-possessed
- self-assured
- self-confident
- graceful
- suave
- urbane
abashed
2 of 2verb
as in flustered
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress felt terribly abashed when she walked into the wrong hotel room Synonyms & Similar Words
- embarrassed
- flustered
- confused
- disconcerted
- discomfited
- mortified
- nonplussed
- rattled
- bothered
- fazed
- disturbed
- nonplused
- upset
- discountenanced
- confounded
- unsettled
- humiliated
- disquieted
- chagrined
- perturbed
- dismayed
- distressed
- discomforted
- discomposed
- agitated
- humbled
- shamed
- unhinged
- degraded
- demeaned
- debased
- put off
- queered
- put out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- relieved
- comforted
- consoled
- calmed
- soothed
- cheered
- encouraged
- assured
- reassured
- emboldened
- heartened
- buoyed