Entry Word: embarrass

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to throw into a state of self-conscious distress <the young soldier was embarrassed by the public praise for his heroism>

Synonyms abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle

Related Words agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, unhinge, unsettle, upset; debase, degrade, demean, humble, humiliate

Near Antonyms calm, comfort, console, relieve, soothe; buoy, cheer, embolden, encourage, hearten; assure, reassure

2 to create difficulty for the work or activity of <a lot of this paperwork is unnecessary and just embarrasses the organization> — see hamper