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

One way or another, everything could come to a head Saturday night in Los Angeles for a USC team coming off an embarrassing loss to Wisconsin in Madison. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Example number 463,721,809,539 of how embarrassing the Mariners are as an organization. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

The Suns were coming off an embarrassing 124-83 road loss in the season opener to the Trail Blazers. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Some of the interactions are so sweet, and then some of them are a little bit more embarrassing or aggressive or mean. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embarrassing

• polarising
• terracing