embarrassing

1 of 2

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

embarrassing

2 of 2

present participle of embarrass

Synonyms of embarrassing

Adjective

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

Examples of embarrassing in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In any event, Florio’s latest blog calling for the Giants to work out Kaepernick is embarrassing. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

The Rams are coming off an embarrassing season-opening loss, and Aaron Donald is set to play for the first time since retiring after the 2023 season. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Neither party acted on it; Republicans wanted to avoid embarrassing Trump, while Democrats wanted to avoid embarrassing Nancy Pelosi, whose husband is an active trader. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026

Many researchers laughed at the programs’ sometimes embarrassing errors and doubted the models’ utility. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embarrassing

• polarising
• terracing