abash

verb

ə-ˈbash How to pronounce abash (audio)
Definition of abashnext
as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress felt terribly abashed when she walked into the wrong hotel room

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb abash contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of abash are discomfit, disconcert, embarrass, and rattle. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

When can discomfit be used instead of abash?

Although the words discomfit and abash have much in common, discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

In what contexts can disconcert take the place of abash?

The words disconcert and abash can be used in similar contexts, but disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

When could embarrass be used to replace abash?

The meanings of embarrass and abash largely overlap; however, embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

When is rattle a more appropriate choice than abash?

While the synonyms rattle and abash are close in meaning, rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

Example Sentences

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 abash Here, furious parents throw open the cupboard to reveal their daughter’s abashed lover, as younger children look on wide-eyed and the family dog prepares to attack. — Susan Delson, WSJ, 20 June 2018 Bloom called him out, and the abashed Harris apologized. — Christina Schoellkopf, latimes.com, 15 June 2018 Not easily abashed by body-shamers, Teigen has publicly posted next-to-naked topless photos in the past. — Megan Decker, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abash
  1. embarrass
  2. confuse
  3. fluster
  4. disconcert
  5. rattle
Verb
  • Mariah Carey just pulled a classic mom move by embarrassing her teenage son in front of his friends.
    — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The leaking was intended to embarrass Bork, whose nomination was ultimately rejected by the U.S. Senate albeit for reasons unrelated to his rental list.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of embarrass
Verb
  • No one was going to confuse Colossal with the Sierra Club.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Few foods confuse foreign visitors quite like brunost, Norwegian brown cheese.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • Jimmy Kimmel flustered guest Pedro Pascal with a suggestive question about Reed Richards' stretchable body parts on Monday's episode of his late-night show.
    — Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025
  • DePaul Prep rallied, though, flustering the Crusaders with a full-court press.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of fluster
Verb
  • Sometimes the images are grim, sometimes chipper, often a disconcerting blend of the two.
    — James Poniewozik, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Other disconcerting maladies included non-operable windshield wipers and a flickering water-temperature gauge.
    — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of disconcert
Verb
  • Read More: Detentions of Tourists and Visa-Holders Fuel Anxiety About Travel to U.S. Neighbors said they were left rattled by the arrest, which played out at 5:30 p.m. on a residential block.
    — JAKE OFFENHARTZ, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Shifting government policies are adversely impacting business, rattling financial markets, and disrupting supply chains.
    — Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of rattle

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Cite this Entry

“Abash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abash. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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