embarrassing

adjective

em·​bar·​rass·​ing im-ˈber-ə-siŋ 

-ˈba-rə-

: 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

embarrassingly

im-ˈber-ə-siŋ-lē 

-ˈba-rə-

adverb

an embarrassingly messy house

Synonyms of embarrassing

• uncomfortable
• awkward
• unpleasant
• difficult
• confusing
• disturbing

Examples of embarrassing in a Sentence

an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor

Recent Examples on the Web

In an embarrassing moment for Amazon, numerous outlets are reporting that bosses accidentally alerted the AWS team a day early about the layoffs, having sent a commiseration email and meeting invitation by mistake. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026

Wilks was finally fired following an embarrassing Week 15 loss to the Jaguars. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026

This means finally ridding yourself of the embarrassing high school or college address you are still stuck with decades later. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

His record so far has been unsurprisingly embarrassing and outlandish. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embarrassing

• polarising
• terracing