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
Mark TwainExamples of embarrassing in a Sentence
an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor
Recent Examples on the Web
Violet’s parents had graciously chosen not to read it, which had spared us all a few embarrassing conversations, but their abstention had also deprived me of a cathartic victory over them for not believing in me.
—Andrew Martin, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
The Buccaneers won handily, 33-14, and their embarrassing losing streak was over.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
Written in a stream-of-consciousness flow, the book offers almost no insight into Kennedy as a person, as a politician, as a figure helping guide our collective political moment, or even into Nuzzi herself as a journalist once widely lauded and now largely seen as embarrassing.
—Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
In 2025, having a boyfriend became embarrassing (according to Vogue, at least).
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
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Andrew Martin, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
The Buccaneers won handily, 33-14, and their embarrassing losing streak was over.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
Written in a stream-of-consciousness flow, the book offers almost no insight into Kennedy as a person, as a politician, as a figure helping guide our collective political moment, or even into Nuzzi herself as a journalist once widely lauded and now largely seen as embarrassing.
—Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
In 2025, having a boyfriend became embarrassing (according to Vogue, at least).
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassing. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
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