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

Some of the secrets in Stein’s archive are, like the contents of a laundry hamper, both poignantly human and embarrassing. —Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

When Mitchell was done facing the music, with several cameras in his face following one of the most embarrassing plays of his career, the rest of his teammates refused to place the loss solely on him. —James Boyd, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

Crowd in New York has been bordered on rude; embarrassing! —Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025

Every master of their craft was once a big, embarrassing mess. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embarrassing

• polarising
• terracing