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

That was pretty humbling, embarrassing, and, uh, all of the above because there's nothing like, uh, trying to go to the bathroom with that situation. —Outside Online, 25 Feb. 2026

These seem like basic decencies and are embarrassing to type out. —Raven Smith, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2026

Wilks was fired with three games remaining in the season following a 48-20 embarrassing loss at Jacksonville in Week 15. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026

For a population that strives not only to be good, but to be officially good—to dedicate its offices to the needs and the vindication of the vulnerable—the persistence of family abuse is an embarrassing rebuke. —Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embarrassing

• polarising
• terracing