- Main Entry:
- em·bar·rass
- Pronunciation:
-
\im-ˈber-əs, -ˈba-rəs\
- Function:
- verb
- Etymology:
- French embarrasser, from Spanish embarazar, from Portuguese embaraçar, from em- (from Latin in-) + baraça noose
- Date:
- 1672
transitive verb1 a: to place in doubt, perplexity, or difficulties b: to involve in financial difficulties c: to cause to experience a state of self-conscious distress <bawdy stories embarrassed him>2 a: to hamper the movement of b: hinder, impede3: to make intricate : complicate4: to impair the activity of (a bodily function) or the function of (a bodily part) <digestion embarrassed by overeating>intransitive verb: to become anxiously self-conscious <he embarrasses easily>
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em·bar·rass·able \-ə-sə-bəl\ adjective synonyms embarrass,
discomfit,
abash,
disconcert,
rattle mean to distress by confusing or confounding.
embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action
<embarrassed to admit that she liked the movie>.
discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion
<hecklers discomfited the speaker>.
abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority
<abashed by her swift and cutting retort>.
disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy
<disconcerted by finding so many in attendance>.
rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment
<rattled by all the television cameras>.
