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

Low support for the board could be embarrassing for the administration in Davos. —CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

This is really concerning and for the United States, frankly, embarrassing. —Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Jan. 2026

But all the nattering nabobs of negativism who’d normally have been concentrating on Maura’s catastrophic first term had to devote at least a little attention to recounting one of the Wu Klux Klan’s more embarrassing moments of 2025. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026

But Microsoft’s latest was more embarrassing than most. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embarrassing

• polarising
• terracing