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

Dating back to that Western Conference finals series last year against the Oilers, the Stars have dropped five straight playoff games by embarrassing margins. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2026

Rather than face being removed from office after embarrassing votes of their peers, the California Democrat and Texas Republican, respectively, resigned within an hour of each other. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026

The saga marked an embarrassing defeat for Johnson. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026

The league’s nightly product, featuring a third of the franchises rolling out G-League show ponies and another third resting stars, was embarrassing. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embarrassing

• polarising
• terracing