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

By 2021, following a 1-8 record and an embarrassing homecoming loss to FCS visitor Rhode Island, Bell was dismissed. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 24 Nov. 2025

The Grok flattery is embarrassing for Musk. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2025

Its specific directives have led to embarrassing episodes. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2025

The risk of swift and embarrassing no-confidence votes on loan marks is the cost of investment managers rushing toward the retail money available in public markets, and this tradeoff will keep coming up. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embarrassing

• polarising
• terracing