embarrassed

adjective

em·​bar·​rassed im-ˈber-əst How to pronounce embarrassed (audio)
-ˈba-rəst
: feeling or showing a state of self-conscious confusion and distress
I've never been so embarrassed in my life.
was too embarrassed to ask for help
an embarrassed smile
embarrassedly
im-ˈber-əst-lē How to pronounce embarrassed (audio)
-ə-səd-lē;
-ˈba-rəst-lē
-rə-səd-
adverb
smiling embarrassedly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The school should be monitoring this to begin with and again, parents out there have to cultivate an open relationship where the child is not embarrassed. Joe Silverstein, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2023 Westerners don’t do this as well, but a person who is embarrassed or has shame is much less likely to show up, speak up and take risks. Goldie Chan, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 But to have made these records 30 years ago and not be embarrassed, that’s a pretty cool thing. Josh Chesler, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2023 Ask them anything—don’t be embarrassed, that’s their job! Elise Taylor, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2023 The women are thrilled, but Tahz, for all her bravado, is hurt and embarrassed. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2023 Over 82 games, those Cleveland teams could embarrass or get embarrassed by any opponent. cleveland, 29 Jan. 2023 Her father reached over to pick a sequin from his daughter’s eyelid, but the 16-year-old recoiled with an embarrassed shrug. John Bartlett Tomás Munita, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2023 After Zoom was embarrassed by Zoom-bombing headlines and castigated by public officials, the company was forced to change its ways. Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 24 Jan. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'embarrassed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of embarrassed was in 1756

Dictionary Entries Near embarrassed

Cite this Entry

“Embarrassed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassed. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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