embarrassed

1 of 2

adjective

em·​bar·​rassed im-ˈber-əst How to pronounce embarrassed (audio)
-ˈba-rəst
Synonyms of embarrassed
: feeling or showing a state of self-conscious confusion and distress
I've never been so embarrassed in my life.
was too embarrassed to ask for help
an embarrassed smile
embarrassedly
im-ˈber-əst-lē How to pronounce embarrassed (audio)
-ə-səd-lē;
-ˈba-rəst-lē, 
-rə-səd-
adverb
smiling embarrassedly

embarrassed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of embarrass

Examples of embarrassed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
One unanticipated effect of my public activism efforts is that people now feel embarrassed about using their smartphones in front of me. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 The Bears nearly turned a blowout into a disaster, and the Giants somehow went from getting embarrassed to creating a quarterback controversy. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 If a company would be embarrassed to have its internal memo published next to its public statement, that’s the signal to rewrite one of the two before either goes out. — Ronn Torossian, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 By the time Lee’s moved on to thanking his dad for not believing him, thereby giving him something to prove, an embarrassed Frances is making a quick run for the exit. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for embarrassed

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1756, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of embarrassed was in 1756

Rhymes for embarrassed

See All Rhymes for embarrassed

Browse Nearby Words

embarrass
embarrassed
embarrassing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Embarrassed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassed. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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