abash

[uh-bash]

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

abash

/ əˈbæʃ /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• abashment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abash¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of abash¹

C14: via Norman French from Old French esbair to be astonished, from es- out + bair to gape, yawn

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.

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

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

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“This is not about running against them, it’s about running on what our record is. I’m very conservative, I’m not abashed by that and I challenge anybody’s record against mine that’s running,” Mr. Hern said.

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

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