shamefaced
Red with chagrin
Shamefaced means embarrassed or ashamed, showing it in one's expression or manner: He gave a shamefaced apology.
The word suggests visible discomfort—someone caught out or exposed.
Despite appearances, the word doesn't come from "shame-faced" but from an older term meaning "held fast by shame," though the spelling has long since shifted to match the apparent meaning.
Facial reddening from embarrassment
- red-facedShowing visible embarrassment
- mortifiedIntensely embarrassed
- chagrinedDistressed by disappointment
- abashedEmbarrassed and disconcerted
flustered · sheepish · discomfited · humiliated · crestfallen · disconcerted · uncomfortable · awkward
Feeling guilt for wrongdoing
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
- apologeticExpressing regret for wrongdoing
- penitentOne showing remorse
- repentantFeeling sorrow for misdeeds
regretful · sorry · chastened · rueful · conscience-stricken · guilt-ridden · compunctious · culpable
blushing
Facial reddening from embarrassment
- red-facedShowing visible embarrassment
- mortifiedIntensely embarrassed
- chagrinedDistressed by disappointment
abashed · flustered · sheepish · discomfited · humiliated · crestfallen · disconcerted · uncomfortable · awkward · self-conscious
remorseful
Feeling guilt for wrongdoing
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
- apologeticExpressing regret for wrongdoing
- penitentOne showing remorse
repentant · regretful · sorry · chastened · rueful · conscience-stricken · guilt-ridden · compunctious · culpable · confession
shy
Reserved and retiring
reticent · diffident · meek · modest · self-conscious · inhibited · withdrawn · unassertive · shrinking · retiring
shamefacedshameless
Lacking moral embarrassment
unashamed · brazen · unrepentant · unabashed · unblushing