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 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 Hefner was good-natured but rather abashed, diffident, and shy. — Jeanie Pyun, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Oct. 2017 Peverelli seemed slightly abashed at the images’ potential elevation from commerce to art. — Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 22 May 2017 But there is also a sort of confused, abashed one, often ironic, that acknowledges a problem and tries to work through a particularly American obliviousness. — Jill McDonough, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abash
  1. embarrass
  2. confuse
  3. fluster
  4. disconcert
  5. rattle
Verb
  • Or from locking up Mick Cronin through 2030, even though UCLA’s prickly basketball coach embarrasses the university annually and hasn’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2023.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of embarrass
Verb
  • Then began the desperate, confusing search for their colleagues.
    — Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Founders frequently misjudge their business's worth, often confusing revenue with actual value.
    — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • If this were still the primary, Raman would have flustered her way to a non-answer.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Saliba is rarely flustered, so to see his game affected as much as it was made an impression.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of fluster
Verb
  • It is filled with off-putting, perhaps even disconcerting antics, and teams don't want to add that to their locker room.
    — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • One less gory but still disconcerting video shown in court was the bodycam footage from the night in February 2024 when members of the LA County Sheriff’s Department paid a visit to Burke’s Hollywood Hills home.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 July 2026
Definition of disconcert
Verb
  • Investors have been rattled by the resurgence of inflationary pressures, particularly as a fresh wave of conflict in the Middle East drives oil prices higher.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • And the president's new plan to import ground beef has rattled many ranchers.
    — Gaby Vinick, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
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 5 Sep. 2026.

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