embarrassing

1 of 2

adjective

em·​bar·​rass·​ing im-ˈber-ə-siŋ How to pronounce embarrassing (audio)
-ˈba-rə-
Synonyms of embarrassing
: causing a feeling of self-conscious confusion and distress : causing embarrassment
an embarrassing error
The official was ever so polite, and ever so sorry, but the rule was strict, and he could not let us in. It was very embarrassing, for many eyes were on us.—Mark Twain
embarrassingly
im-ˈber-ə-siŋ-lē How to pronounce embarrassing (audio)
-ˈba-rə-
adverb
an embarrassingly messy house

embarrassing

2 of 2

present participle of embarrass

Synonyms of embarrassing

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Adjective

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Examples of embarrassing in a Sentence

Adjective an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
With 10 days to prepare, Schottenheimer’s Cowboys played an embarrassing first half en route to a 23-13 loss on Sunday night at Green Bay. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026 Without principle, without a moral compass, with no checks and balances, our would-be-dictator is an embarrassing stain on the soul of a once-proud America. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 Not merely due to sympathy for the tweens, nor from projecting some future time when the unerasable archive of this yearning might prove embarrassing. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Celtic exited this season’s Champions League in August after an embarrassing 5-1 thrashing by LASK in Austria, losing the tie 5-4 on aggregate having been 4-0 ahead at one stage. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for embarrassing

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of embarrassing was in 1778

Rhymes for embarrassing

See All Rhymes for embarrassing

Browse Nearby Words

embarrassed
embarrassing
embarrassment
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Cite this Entry

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

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