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

The Rams are coming off an embarrassing 27-7 defeat by the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

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

A lot better after Saturday Oklahoma State suffered one of the most embarrassing losses of Week 1 when it face-planted against Tulsa. — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots want everyone to forget that the coach and the franchise by extension were tied to an embarrassing scandal when the Dianna Russini story surfaced in April. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embarrassing

• polarising
• terracing