abash

American  

[uh-bash] / əˈbæʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to destroy the self-confidence, poise, or self-possession of; disconcert; make ashamed or embarrassed.

   to abash someone by sneering.

   Synonyms:

   embarrass, discompose, shame

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abash British  

/ əˈbæʃ /

verb

1. (tr; usually passive) to cause to feel ill at ease, embarrassed, or confused; make ashamed

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Other Word Forms

• abashment noun

Etymology

Origin of abash

1275–1325; Middle English abaishen < dialectal Old French abacher, Old French abaissier to put down, bring low ( abase ), perhaps conflated with Anglo-French abaiss-, long stem of abair, Old French esba ( h ) ir to gape, marvel, amaze ( es- ex- ¹ + -ba ( h ) ir, alteration of baer to open wide, gape < Vulgar Latin *batāre; bay ², bay ³ )

Example Sentences

It’s a persuasive picture of a working artist, often fretting about money and trying to leverage his connections, and the actor makes the most of Hujar’s amusing, slightly abashed discursiveness.

From The Wall Street Journal

They are now out of pocket, short on players and, perhaps, abashed at their complicity.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We have quite a lot of work to do,” Chiappe says, looking somewhat abashed.

From Los Angeles Times

“We need money,” the older Gala blurts out to the abashed Dalí during one bellicose confrontation over his lack of productivity, “money, money!”

From New York Times

Jarreau continues and Belafonte remains slightly abashed until his smile broadens, as if he's accepting his signature tune's supernaturally unifying power.

From Salon