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

Synonyms of embarrassment

• confusion
• humiliation
• discomfort
• unease

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

Instead too many accept as a given of public discourse that our elections are suspect and an embarrassment to the world. — Jackie Calmes, Mercury News, 19 June 2026

Key signs of toxicity include taking credit for others' work, public embarrassment, and unpredictable behavior, which cause chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout. — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Two months after that April embarrassment, the Charlotte Hornets took a positive step to rectify their obvious lack of physicality. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026

Players had begun getting legal money, alleviating a moral embarrassment from the previous century-plus, but transfers hadn’t yet started flipping half of every roster every season. — Jason Kirk, New York Times, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing embarrassment

• embarrassment of riches

Kids 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