Definition of: abash

(ə·bash′) v.t.
To deprive of self-possession; disconcert; make ashamed or confused. [<OF esbaïss-, stem of esbaïr astonish]
—a·bash·ed·ly (ə·bash′id·lē) adverb
—a·bash′ment n.
Synonyms: bewilder, chagrin, confound, confuse, daunt, discompose, disconcert, dishearten, embarrass, humble, humiliate, mortify, overawe, shame. Any sense of inferiority abashes, with or without the sense of wrong. The children are abashed at their parents' reproof. To confuse is to bring into a state of mental bewilderment; to confound is to overwhelm the mental faculties; to daunt is to subject to a certain degree of fear. Confusion generally refers to the intellect, embarrassment to the feelings. A witness may be embarrassed by annoying remarks or questions so as to become confused in statements. To mortify a person is to bring on a painful sense of humiliation: The parent is mortified by the child's rudeness. The embarrassed speaker finds it difficult to proceed. The mob is overawed by the military, the hypocrite shamed by exposure. See EMBARRASS. Compare CHAGRIN. Antonyms: animate, assure, buoy, cheer, embolden, encourage, inspirit, rally, uphold.