What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abash
Example
She was abashed when she realized she had been talking too loudly. [abashed: adjective]
Example
He tried to abash his opponent with insults during the debate. [abash: verb]
chagrin
Example
Much to her chagrin, she realized she had left her phone at home. [chagrin: noun]
Example
He was chagrined by his poor performance on the exam. [chagrined: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chagrin is more commonly used than abash in everyday language. Chagrin is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abash is less common and refers to a specific type of negative emotion.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between abash and chagrin?
Both abash and chagrin are considered formal words, but abash may be perceived as more old-fashioned or literary due to its less frequent usage.
