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

The companies that understand this will still have embarrassing mornings. — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

The embarrassing display was especially difficult for the scores of young performers who had been at the show’s lavish world premiere in Los Angeles just weeks before and who had considered the project their big break. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 July 2026

The race saw the Republican Lincoln Club’s embarrassing endorsement of Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung, a former Democrat turned No Party Preference who is championing tax increases in his city. — John Seiler, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

The most embarrassing thing for the USA is that Garcia clearly was out to make an example of the Americans after all the pregame controversy. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embarrassing

• polarising
• terracing