Abashed

Feeling or caused to feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed. It often stems from a sudden loss of composure, the realization of a mistake, or the awareness of having behaved inappropriately. The feeling can manifest in various physical ways, such as blushing, stammering, avoiding eye contact, or a general sense of awkwardness. This emotion typically arises in social situations or when personal shortcomings are exposed, creating a desire to retreat or conceal oneself from observation. It suggests a sensitivity to social norms and a concern for one's reputation or self-image.

Abashed meaning with examples

• When the waiter announced that she had spilled her soup on him, Sarah felt completely abashed. Her face flushed red, and she mumbled apologies, desperately wishing she could disappear. She wished to sink under the table rather than face the amused glances of other diners.
• After accidentally blurting out the surprise party details, Michael was thoroughly abashed. He stammered a weak 'Oops' and avoided eye contact with his friend, knowing he had ruined the carefully planned event. His feeling of shame lingered.
• The young actor, usually confident on stage, became abashed when he tripped during his grand entrance. He stumbled, recovered with grace, but the initial shock and his mistake left him flustered and a little self-conscious for the rest of the scene.
• During the job interview, the candidate was abashed by his answer regarding why he was fired from his previous role. The question made him squirm, as he fumbled for an explanation, aware that his response was not particularly strong.
• When his teacher corrected his grammar in front of the class, Tim felt utterly abashed. He shrunk in his chair and wished the floor would open up and swallow him. The embarrassment was intense, leaving him mortified.