“Embarrassed” vs. “Ashamed”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “embarrassed” and “ashamed”

  • The main difference between the two is the cause of the feeling - embarrassment is usually a temporary feeling caused by a particular event, while shame is often a more long-term emotion often tied to personal values and morals.
  • Embarrassment may involve feeling silly or foolish, while shame may involve feeling immoral or wrong.
  • A person can feel embarrassed from having to wear something flashy; in contrast, a person may feel ashamed of bullying someone in the past.
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What is the definition of “embarrassed” and “ashamed”?

Embarrassed
  • To feel self-conscious, uneasy, or foolish.
  • It is often temporary and occurs in response to a specific situation or action.
  • Embarrassment may involve blushing, stuttering, or avoiding eye contact.
Ashamed
  • A feeling of guilt, regret, or sadness for something one has done wrong.
  • It can have a lasting impact on a person's self-esteem and sense of worth.
  • Shame involves self-blame and a sense of failure.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Embarrassed” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Embarrassed
156,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I was embarrassed when I tripped and fell in front of everyone.
  2. She felt embarrassed when her phone rang during the movie.
  3. He was embarrassed to admit he didn't understand the math problem.
Ashamed
78,500,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I'm ashamed of my rude behavior last night.
  2. He was ashamed to ask for help, even though he knew he needed it.
  3. She felt ashamed of herself for being jealous of her friend's success.
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