EMBARRASSMENT Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

embarrassment

noun

im-ˈber-əs-mənt

Definition of embarrassment

as in confusion

the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable experienced the great embarrassment of tripping while on stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obstacle

something that makes movement or progress difficult a big suitcase filled with clothes proved to be more an embarrassment than a convenience on my trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of embarrassment Chronicling the hyper-niche behaviors that define our online existence, Berlant describes the seemingly inescapable embarrassment of wasting one’s life away in an endless scroll. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 But sometimes, even the risk of public embarrassment isn’t enough to stop them. — Dorie Clark, Contributor, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 The drama that animates Mud is a Sisyphean one, and Wolf casts herself as agent of her own embarrassment and woe. — Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026 Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to Epstein have been a source of embarrassment to the royal family for more than a decade. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for embarrassment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassment

Noun

Almeida said Election Day confusion is possible in some precincts but the nature of the threat requires a collective effort.

— STEVE PEOPLES, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Lula’s victory followed confusion at polling places after Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered a last-minute, two-hour extension of voting nationwide.

— David Unsworth , Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of confusion

Noun

Amazon Watch, a nonprofit focused on environmental protection and Indigenous rights, also welcomed Lula’s victory while warning of legislative obstacles.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Still, around 42% of marketers (linked in the Mediaocean research above) say that getting good quality data (or being able to access it) is a major obstacle, and only 10% have all their ad technology systems fully integrated.

— Ivan Guzenko, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of obstacle

Noun

The same musical inflection that voices humiliation in Waller’s song becomes an expression of delighted discovery in the Gershwins’.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
In a May 2023 Instagram post, Allen apologized to Gale for having an affair and acknowledged that his choices brought shame and humiliation to his family.

— Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of humiliation

Noun

That's good news for home shoppers, but may not be enough to overcome the affordability hurdles keeping many prospective homebuyers out of the market.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
On Wednesday, the Republican House speaker acknowledged his party’s hurdles while stumping for congressional candidate Kevin Lincoln in Stockton in the Central Valley.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of hurdle

Noun

Riverdale In Riverdale, three candidates filed to run for mayor, including former Trustee Cassandra Riley-Pinkney, who was appointed interim mayor after former Mayor Lawrence Jackson was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in November.

— Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Don’t hide files or shut down computers; doing so would look like obstruction.

— Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of obstruction

Noun

Putin then orchestrated unprecedented foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election to help Trump and hurt his opponent Hillary Clinton.

— Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2026
Packing more sensors into the same area can improve resolution but also adds wiring and potential signal interference.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of interference

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“Embarrassment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassment. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of embarrassment

noun

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Synonyms of embarrassment

noun

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing embarrassment

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes