ABASH Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

abash

verb

ə-ˈbash

Definition of abash next

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 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

Verb

The publication of The American Black Chamber on June 1, 1931, as well as three preceding articles in the Saturday Evening Post, embarrassed the Japanese.

— Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025
The 2013 incident embarrassed New Orleans, which wanted to show off how well the city had bounced back by hosting the big game for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.

— Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 3 Feb. 2025