embarrassment
noun
em·bar·rass·ment
im-ˈber-əs-mənt 
-ˈba-rəs-
1
a
: something that embarrasses
the scandal was a major embarrassment
b
: an excessive quantity from which to select
—used especially in the phrase embarrassment of riches
2
: the state of being embarrassed: such as
a
: confusion or disturbance of mind
couldn't hide her embarrassment
b
: difficulty arising from the want of money to pay debts
c
: difficulty in functioning as a result of disease
cardiac embarrassment
Examples of embarrassment in a Sentence
She couldn't hide her embarrassment.
The scandal was a major embarrassment for the government.
He's an embarrassment to his family.
Recent Examples on the Web
But Massie said embarrassment should not stop the release of information.
—
Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
The deal was an embarrassment to Iran as well.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
That lack of confidence is charming and funny; when the experts on With Love, Meghan mess up, their humility feels feigned and unnatural, but Martin’s embarrassment only motivates everyone to help him out.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
The City of Big Shoulders has erected and endured a legacy of racial violence and segregation that would make any good liberal shudder in embarrassment.
—Jackson Potter, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassment
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Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
The deal was an embarrassment to Iran as well.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
That lack of confidence is charming and funny; when the experts on With Love, Meghan mess up, their humility feels feigned and unnatural, but Martin’s embarrassment only motivates everyone to help him out.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
The City of Big Shoulders has erected and endured a legacy of racial violence and segregation that would make any good liberal shudder in embarrassment.
—Jackson Potter, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassment
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassment. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
embarrassment
noun
em·bar·rass·ment
im-ˈbar-əs-mənt
1
a
: something that embarrasses
the scandal was a terrible embarrassment
b
: an overly large quantity from which to select
—used especially in the phrase embarrassment of riches
2
: the state of being embarrassed
blushed with embarrassment
Medical Definition
embarrassment
noun
em·bar·rass·ment
im-ˈbar-ə-smənt
: difficulty in functioning as a result of disease
cardiac embarrassment
respiratory embarrassment
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