embarrassing

em·bar·rass·ing | \ im-ˈber-ə-siŋ

How to pronounce embarrassing (audio)

, -ˈba-rə- \

Definition of embarrassing

: causing a feeling of self-conscious confusion and distress : causing embarrassment an embarrassing error The official was ever so polite, and ever so sorry, but the rule was strict, and he could not let us in. It was very embarrassing, for many eyes were on us.— Mark Twain

Other Words from embarrassing Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about embarrassing

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of embarrassing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Compared to the avatar high-fives we were supposed to have by now, this is a little embarrassing. — Molly Wood, Wired, "VR Was Supposed to Help Us Work Remotely. So Where Is It?," 10 Mar. 2020 In one embarrassing episode, an ultrarare 1939 Porsche had apparently reached $70 million, only to be revised down to $17 million because of confusion during bidding. — Robert C. Yeager, New York Times, "A Chatty Auction Site Is Taking the Classic Car World by Storm," 5 Mar. 2020 Warren failed to win a single primary during her presidential bid and placed an embarrassing third in Super Tuesday’s Massachusetts primary, her own state. — Tim Darnell, ajc, "BREAKING: Elizabeth Warren reportedly ending presidential campaign," 5 Mar. 2020 Thankfully, this embarrassing moment was only for the rehearsal. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Nikita Dragun Fell Down on the Philipp Plein Runway at Milan Fashion Week and Her Reaction is Priceless," 24 Feb. 2020 There were a few embarrassing episodes along the way, including the time when Ferguson was photographed cavorting topless with an American suitor. — Washington Post, "Andrew’s journey took him from ‘party prince’ to pariah," 20 Nov. 2019 This major breach of security was an embarrassing episode for the ATF, which launched a search across 49 of the 50 states for the firearms. — Jeff Pegues, CBS News, "West Virginia man sentenced for stealing firearms from ATF," 27 Aug. 2019 Ever been walking in a public place and taken an embarrassing fall? — Alex Chaet, CNN, "Must-watch videos of the week," 6 Mar. 2020 Warren never finished higher than third in the first four states and was routed on Super Tuesday, failing to win any of the 14 states voting and placing an embarrassing third in Massachusetts, behind former Vice President Joe Biden and Sanders. — Defne Gencler, Fortune, "Elizabeth Warren drops out of 2020 presidential campaign after Super Tuesday rout," 5 Mar. 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about embarrassing

Dictionary Entries near embarrassing

embarras de richesses

embarrassment of riches

Statistics for embarrassing

Last Updated

27 Mar 2020

Cite this Entry

“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassing. Accessed 30 Mar. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

laissez-faire

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

March 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

Which is a synonym of rectitudinous?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.