shaming
Causing deep embarrassment
Shaming is the act of causing someone to feel shame—publicly criticizing or humiliating them for perceived wrongdoing.
The word often appears with a modifier indicating what's being criticized: body shaming, slut shaming, fat shaming.
Online shaming campaigns can destroy reputations: The internet shaming went viral within hours.
Self-conscious unease
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- degradationDecline in condition
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
mockery · public exposure · put-down · abasement · debasement · dishonor · disrespect · taunting
Banishment from a group
- brandingCreating distinctive identity
- labelingAssigning identifying markers
- outcastShunned, rejected person
- pariahRejected, shunned person
exclusion · discrimination · prejudice · mark · scarlet letter · blacklisting · marginalization · social rejection
Judgment of faults
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- denunciationFormal public accusation
rebuke · reprimand · judgment · faultfinding · blame · scolding · admonishment · chastisement
Inducing remorse deliberately
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- emotional blackmailCoercion via feelings
- blame-shiftingAttributing fault to others
- self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing
contrition · remorse · regret · conscience · culpability · self-blame · pangs · compunction
Digital intimidation of others
- trollingProvoking reactions online
- cancel cultureMass public shunning online
- pile-onMass criticism or tackle
- viralSpreading quickly online
callout · doxing · screenshot · hashtag · mob mentality · brigading · ratio · dragging
embarrassment
Self-conscious unease
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- degradationDecline in condition
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
ridicule · mockery · public exposure · put-down · abasement · debasement · dishonor · disrespect · taunting · derision
ostracism
Banishment from a group
- brandingCreating distinctive identity
- labelingAssigning identifying markers
- outcastShunned, rejected person
pariah · exclusion · discrimination · prejudice · mark · scarlet letter · blacklisting · marginalization · social rejection · othering
criticism
Judgment of faults
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
denunciation · rebuke · reprimand · judgment · faultfinding · blame · scolding · admonishment · chastisement · calling out
guilt-tripping
Inducing remorse deliberately
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- emotional blackmailCoercion via feelings
- blame-shiftingAttributing fault to others
self-reproach · contrition · remorse · regret · conscience · culpability · self-blame · pangs · compunction · silent treatment
cyberbullying
Digital intimidation of others
- trollingProvoking reactions online
- cancel cultureMass public shunning online
- pile-onMass criticism or tackle
viral · callout · doxing · screenshot · hashtag · mob mentality · brigading · ratio · dragging · exposing
- disrespectinsulting, belittling, demeaning, mocking, ridiculing
- mistreatmentbullying, harassing, intimidating, oppressing, humiliating
- reproachesblaming, scolding, rebuking, reprimanding, censuring
- shaminghumiliating, disgracing, dishonoring, degrading, demeaning
- social pressurepeer pressure, conformity, expectations, fitting in, social acceptance
- dominance tacticsbullying, commanding, controlling, dictating, domineering
shamingpraising
Voicing admiration
honoring · glorifying · celebrating · lauding · exalting
shaminguplifting
Emotionally encouraging
affirming · encouraging · empowering · validating · reassuring
shamingsupporting
Bearing or sustaining
defending · championing · advocating · endorsing · vindicating
- public shamingCommunal reputational punishment
- body shamingCriticizing physical appearance cruelly
- fat shamingRidiculing overweight people
- slut shamingCriticizing someone's sexual behavior
- naming and shamingPublicly identifying wrongdoers
- snack shamingCriticizing another's casual eating