Shame vs. Embarrassment — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 15, 2023
Shame is a deep emotional experience often related to a sense of personal inadequacy or moral wrong, while embarrassment is a less intense, more situational emotion tied to social faux pas or awkwardness.
Difference Between Shame and Embarrassment
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Key Differences
Shame is an intense emotion that stems from a belief in one's inadequacy or wrongness, often related to a moral or ethical lapse. It implicates one's core identity and can lead to feelings of unworthiness. Embarrassment, on the other hand, is generally a less intense emotional experience tied to specific events, like social mistakes or awkward situations, and doesn't necessarily carry moral implications.
Both shame and embarrassment are emotions that can be triggered by external or internal factors. Shame often results from one's actions that violate their own values or society's norms, leading to self-reproach. Embarrassment usually arises in social contexts where an individual perceives themselves to have committed a minor faux pas, causing temporary discomfort but rarely having a long-lasting impact on self-perception.
The grammar associated with both words is fairly straightforward. "Shame" and "embarrassment" can both function as nouns, but "shame" can also be used as a verb ("to shame someone"). Similarly, "embarrass" serves as the verb form for "embarrassment." In both cases, the adjectival forms are "shameful" and "embarrassing."
While both shame and embarrassment can result in avoiding social interactions or experiencing anxiety, the coping mechanisms often differ. Shame might lead to withdrawal or concealment of the truth, as it's more deeply tied to one's self-worth. Embarrassment, being more fleeting, typically results in a quicker recovery and might even be laughed off.
Comparison Chart
Emotional Depth
Deeper, tied to self-worth
Less intense, situational
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Context
Moral or ethical lapses
Social faux pas or awkwardness
Grammatical Role
Noun and verb
Noun, with "embarrass" as the verb
Moral Implication
Often carries moral weight
Usually does not
Coping Mechanism
Withdrawal, concealment
Quicker recovery, may be laughed off
Compare with Definitions
Shame
A deep emotional response to a sense of inadequacy or moral failure.
She felt shame for betraying her friend's trust.
Embarrassment
A mild form of humiliation often tied to specific events.
His latest gaffe was an embarrassment to the team.
Shame
A state of disgrace or dishonor.
He brought shame upon his family by lying.
Embarrassment
A discomfort arising from a lapse in social etiquette.
Forgetting names at the party was an embarrassment.
Shame
Shame is an unpleasant self-conscious emotion typically associated with a negative evaluation of the self; withdrawal motivations; and feelings of distress, exposure, mistrust, powerlessness, and worthlessness.
Embarrassment
An emotion usually causing redness of the face or awkward laughter.
Her face turned red in embarrassment.
Shame
A painful emotion caused by the belief that one is, or is perceived by others to be, inferior or unworthy of affection or respect because of one's actions, thoughts, circumstances, or experiences
Felt shame for having dropped out of school.
Embarrassment
A situational feeling causing a desire to hide or escape.
His mistake became an embarrassment he wished to forget.
Shame
Respect for propriety or morality
Have you no shame?.
Embarrassment
Embarrassment or awkwardness is an emotional state that is associated with mild to severe levels of discomfort, and which is usually experienced when someone commits a socially unacceptable or frowned-upon act that is witnessed by or revealed to others.Usually, some perception of loss of honor or dignity (or other high-value ideals) is involved, but the embarrassment level and the type depends on the situation.
Shame
A condition of disgrace or dishonor; ignominy
An act that brought shame on the whole family.
Embarrassment
The act or an instance of embarrassing
His embarrassment of the guests ended the party.
Shame
A regrettable or unfortunate situation
"It was a shame how the place had fallen apart, with tall scorched grass and sagging gutters" (Tom Drury).
Embarrassment
The state of being embarrassed
My face turned red with embarrassment.
Shame
One that brings dishonor, disgrace, or condemnation
"I would ... Forget the shames that you have stained me with" (Shakespeare).
Embarrassment
A source or cause of being embarrassed
Your display of rudeness was an embarrassment to me.
Shame
To cause to feel shame
"expletives that would have shamed a stevedore" (Jeffrey Tayler).
Embarrassment
An overabundance
An embarrassment of choices at a buffet dinner.
An embarrassment of riches.
Shame
To cause to feel ashamed to the point of doing something
I was shamed into making an apology.
Embarrassment
Financial difficulty
Fell into financial embarrassment.
Shame
To bring dishonor or disgrace on
Behavior that shamed him in the eyes of the community.
Embarrassment
A state of discomfort arising from bashfulness or consciousness of having violated a social rule; humiliation.
Shame
To disgrace by surpassing
Wanted revenge because a rival had shamed him in the previous race.
Embarrassment
A person or thing which is the cause of humiliation to another.
Jack, you are an embarrassment to this family.
Losing this highly publicized case was an embarrassment to the firm.
Shame
Uncomfortable or painful feeling due to recognition or consciousness of one's own impropriety or dishonor, or something being exposed that should have been kept private.
When I realized that I had hurt my friend, I felt deep shame.
The teenager couldn’t bear the shame of introducing his parents.
Embarrassment
A large collection of good or valuable things, especially one that exceeds requirements.
Shame
Something to regret.
It was a shame not to see the show after driving all that way.
Embarrassment
A state of confusion; hesitation; uncertainty
Shame
Reproach incurred or suffered; dishonour; ignominy; derision.
Embarrassment
(medical) Impairment of function due to disease: respiratory embarrassment.
Shame
The cause or reason of shame; that which brings reproach and ignominy.
Embarrassment
(dated) Difficulty in financial matters; poverty.
Shame
That which is shameful and private, especially private parts.
Embarrassment
A state of being embarrassed; perplexity; impediment to freedom of action; entanglement; hindrance; confusion or discomposure of mind, as from not knowing what to do or to say; disconcertedness.
The embarrassment which inexperienced minds have often to express themselves upon paper.
The embarrassments tom commerce growing out of the late regulations.
Shame
The capacity to be ashamed, inhibiting one from brazen behaviour; due regard for one's own moral conduct and how one is perceived by others; restraint, moderation, decency.
Don't you have any shame?
Embarrassment
Difficulty or perplexity arising from the want of money to pay debts.
Shame
A cry of admonition for the subject of a speech, either to denounce the speaker or to agree with the speaker's denunciation of some person or matter; often used reduplicated, especially in political debates.
Embarrassment
The shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
Shame
(South Africa) Expressing sympathy.
Shame, you poor thing, you must be cold!
Embarrassment
The state of being embarrassed (usually by some financial inadequacy);
He is currently suffering financial embarrassments
Shame
(transitive) To cause to feel shame.
I was shamed by the teacher's public disapproval.
Embarrassment
Some event that causes someone to be embarrassed;
The outcome of the vote was an embarrassment for the liberals
Shame
(transitive) To cover with reproach or ignominy; to denounce as having done something shameful; to dishonor; to disgrace.
Embarrassment
Extreme excess;
An embarrassment of riches
Shame
(transitive) To drive or compel by shame.
The politician was shamed into resigning.
Embarrassment
A temporary feeling of self-consciousness due to social faux pas.
She felt embarrassment when she tripped in public.
Shame
To feel shame, be ashamed.
Shame
To mock at; to deride.
Shame
A painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt or impropriety, or of having done something which injures reputation, or of the exposure of that which nature or modesty prompts us to conceal.
HIde, for shame,Romans, your grandsires' images,That blush at their degenerate progeny.
Have you no modesty, no maiden shame?
Shame
Reproach incurred or suffered; dishonor; ignominy; derision; contempt.
Ye have borne the shame of the heathen.
Honor and shame from no condition rise.
And every woe a tear can claimExcept an erring sister's shame.
Shame
The cause or reason of shame; that which brings reproach, and degrades a person in the estimation of others; disgrace.
O C sar, what a wounding shame is this!
Guides who are the shame of religion.
Shame
The parts which modesty requires to be covered; the private parts.
Shame
To make ashamed; to excite in (a person) a comsciousness of guilt or impropriety, or of conduct derogatory to reputation; to put to shame.
Were there but one righteous in the world, he would . . . shame the world, and not the world him.
Shame
To cover with reproach or ignominy; to dishonor; to disgrace.
And with foul cowardice his carcass shame.
Shame
To mock at; to deride.
Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor.
Shame
To be ashamed; to feel shame.
I do shameTo think of what a noble strain you are.
Shame
A painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
Shame
A state of dishonor;
One mistake brought shame to all his family
Suffered the ignominy of being sent to prison
Shame
An unfortunate development;
It's a pity he couldn't do it
Shame
Bring shame or dishonor upon;
He dishonored his family by committing a serious crime
Shame
Compel through a sense of shame;
She shamed him into making amends
Shame
Cause to be ashamed
Shame
Surpass or beat by a wide margin
Shame
A painful feeling of humiliation due to one's own actions.
His shame was evident when he got caught cheating.
Shame
An emotion that can lead to feelings of unworthiness.
The shame he felt made him question his own worth.
Shame
A moral or ethical emotion that can impact self-perception.
The shame of his past actions weighed heavily on him.
Common Curiosities
Can Shame be Intense?
Yes, shame is often an intense emotion that can impact one's self-worth.
What's the Verb Form of Shame?
"To shame" is the verb form.
What is Embarrassment?
Embarrassment is a less intense, situational emotion tied to social faux pas or awkwardness.
Is Shame Tied to Morality?
Often, yes, shame can be related to a moral or ethical lapse.
Does Embarrassment Have Moral Weight?
Usually not; embarrassment is often situational and lacks moral implications.
Can Shame Lead to Withdrawal?
Yes, shame can often lead to social withdrawal or hiding the truth.
What's the Verb Form of Embarrassment?
"To embarrass" is the verb form.
What is Shame?
Shame is a deep emotional experience tied to a sense of personal inadequacy or moral wrong.
Is Embarrassment Fleeting?
Generally, yes, embarrassment is a more temporary emotional state.
What is the Adjective Form of Shame?
"Shameful" is the adjectival form.
What is the Adjective Form of Embarrassment?
"Embarrassing" is the adjectival form.
How Do People Typically React to Embarrassment?
People often recover quickly from embarrassment, sometimes even laughing it off.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
