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

• 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

This puts us at risk for more than regulatory trouble or embarrassing model errors. —Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Heat is delivered by chiles, hot sauce, red chili flakes or simply an embarrassing amount of freshly ground black pepper. —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2025

Just how different culminated in an embarrassing scene for the franchise. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025

As for why the video is embarrassing for Franco, the pair comically detailed to PEOPLE how the proposal didn't go quite as planned. —Erin Clack, People.com, 30 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embarrassing

• polarising
• terracing