embarrassing

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 adverb
an embarrassingly messy house

Examples of embarrassing in a Sentence

an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor
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.
But goals from Harry Kane in the 75th and 86th minutes saved England from an embarrassing early exit. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 America is better when Paul Skenes is embarrassing hitters with Livvy in the stands pounding Miller Lites. Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 All rights reserved Nearly eight weeks ago, the Philadelphia 76ers ended their season with an embarrassing 30-point home loss to the New York Knicks, completing a second round playoff series sweep. Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Slides, jokes and the occasional embarrassing photo are fair game. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for embarrassing

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of embarrassing was in 1778

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Cite this Entry

“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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