abash

Verb

UK: /əˈbæʃ/

US: /əˈbæʃ/


Definition and Examples

▶️ To make someone feel embarrassed, ashamed, or uncomfortable

Example: The unexpected compliment abashed him, making his cheeks turn red.

  • Explanation: In this sentence, "abashed" means he felt embarrassed because of the unexpected compliment.

Example: She was abashed when she forgot her lines in the school play.

  • Explanation: Here, "abashed" means she felt embarrassed and uncomfortable because she forgot her lines during the play.

Example: His confident manner could not be abashed by the unexpected question.

  • Explanation: In this sentence, "abashed" means to make someone feel embarrassed or uneasy, but here it suggests that his confidence prevented him from feeling that way.

Example: She was abashed by the loud applause after her speech.

  • Explanation: Here, "abashed" means she felt embarrassed or shy because of the loud applause.

Detailed Look at Usage

When describing making someone feel embarrassed or uncomfortable:

☑️Example: The teacher’s praise abashed the shy student.

  • Subject: The teacher’s praise
  • Predicate: abashed the shy student
    • "abashed" (verb)
    • "the shy student" (direct object indicating who felt abashed)

☑️Example: He felt abashed when everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to him.

  • Subject: He
  • Predicate: felt abashed when everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to him
    • "felt abashed" (verb phrase)
    • "when everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' to him" (dependent clause indicating the reason)
      • "when" (conjunction)
      • "everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' to him" (clause)
        • "everyone" (subject)
        • "sang 'Happy Birthday' to him" (verb phrase)

☑️Example: The direct criticism abashed the intern, causing her to lose her train of thought.

  • Subject: The direct criticism
  • Predicate: abashed the intern, causing her to lose her train of thought
    • "abashed" (verb)
    • "the intern" (direct object indicating who felt abashed)
    • "causing her to lose her train of thought" (participial phrase indicating the result)

☑️Example: He was abashed by the unexpected praise from his boss.

  • Subject: He
  • Predicate: was abashed by the unexpected praise from his boss
    • "was abashed" (verb phrase)
    • "by the unexpected praise from his boss" (prepositional phrase indicating the cause)
      • "by" (preposition)
      • "the unexpected praise" (noun phrase)
      • "from his boss" (prepositional phrase indicating the source)

More Examples

☑️Example: She was abashed by her friend’s teasing in front of the whole class.

  • Subject: She
  • Predicate: was abashed by her friend’s teasing in front of the whole class
    • "was abashed" (verb phrase)
    • "by her friend’s teasing" (prepositional phrase indicating the cause)
      • "by" (preposition)
      • "her friend’s teasing" (noun phrase)
    • "in front of the whole class" (prepositional phrase indicating where it happened)
      • "in front of" (preposition)
      • "the whole class" (noun phrase)

☑️Example: The boy felt abashed when he spilled juice on his new shirt.

  • Subject: The boy
  • Predicate: felt abashed when he spilled juice on his new shirt
    • "felt abashed" (verb phrase)
    • "when he spilled juice on his new shirt" (dependent clause indicating the reason)
      • "when" (conjunction)
      • "he spilled juice on his new shirt" (clause)
        • "he" (subject)
        • "spilled juice on his new shirt" (verb phrase)

☑️Example: The employee felt abashed when his mistake was pointed out during the meeting.

  • Subject: The employee
  • Predicate: felt abashed when his mistake was pointed out during the meeting
    • "felt abashed" (verb phrase)
    • "when his mistake was pointed out during the meeting" (dependent clause indicating the reason)
      • "when" (conjunction)
      • "his mistake was pointed out during the meeting" (clause)
        • "his mistake" (subject)
        • "was pointed out during the meeting" (verb phrase)

☑️Example: She was abashed by the unexpected recognition of her hard work.

  • Subject: She
  • Predicate: was abashed by the unexpected recognition of her hard work
    • "was abashed" (verb phrase)
    • "by the unexpected recognition of her hard work" (prepositional phrase indicating the cause)
      • "by" (preposition)
      • "the unexpected recognition" (noun phrase)
      • "of her hard work" (prepositional phrase indicating what was recognized)

Common Phrases

☑️Phrase: "Abashed by the sudden attention"

  • Example: He was abashed by the sudden attention from his colleagues after winning the award.
  • Explanation: This phrase is often used to describe feeling embarrassed or shy due to unexpected focus or recognition.

☑️Phrase: "Abashed at the realization"

  • Example: She was abashed at the realization that she had been speaking too loudly.
  • Explanation: This phrase describes the feeling of embarrassment upon becoming aware of something.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Embarrass Humiliate Shame Discomfort Confuse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Comfort Reassure Encourage Soothe Confident