Definition of embarrassment
1a : something that embarrasses the scandal was a major embarrassmentb : an excessive quantity from which to select —used especially in the phrase embarrassment of riches
2 : the state of being embarrassed: such asa : confusion or disturbance of mind couldn't hide her embarrassmentb : difficulty arising from the want of money to pay debtsc : difficulty in functioning as a result of disease cardiac embarrassment
From the M-W Editors
Examples of embarrassment in a Sentence
She couldn't hide her embarrassment.
The scandal was a major embarrassment for the government.
He's an embarrassment to his family.
Recent Examples of embarrassment from the Web
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That same weekend, however, is also Washington, D.C.’s Black Pride, so the sea of melanin is an embarrassment of riches.
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The Bulls need to minimize the embarrassment and wasted effort.
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Another public embarrassment for Tiger Woods is shifting to the legal side following his arrest in Florida on a DUI charge, with one criminal expert suggesting Woods made a mistake by claiming publicly that prescription medicine was to blame.
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Other residents regard addicts as community embarrassments.
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That was widely seen as an embarrassment for the rideshare companies.
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Rather to risk embarrassment for the family, especially for her daughter Myrtle Mae, Veta decides to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium, creating more confusion.
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Any NBA team going six minutes without scoring in a playoff game is an embarrassment to basketball.
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The GOP does have to deal with the embarrassment of a member-elect either pleading guilty or facing trial for a shocking attack on a reporter even before Greg Gianforte takes office.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'embarrassment'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of embarrassment
1676
EMBARRASSMENT Defined for English Language Learners
embarrassment
playDefinition of embarrassment for English Language Learners
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: the state of feeling foolish in front of others
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: something or someone that causes a person or group to look or feel foolish
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: a very large number of things from which to choose
EMBARRASSMENT Defined for Kids
embarrassment
playDefinition of embarrassment for Students
1 : something that causes a person or group to feel foolish The poor test scores were an embarrassment to the school.
2 : the condition of feeling foolish in front of others I couldn't hide my embarrassment over the mistake.
Medical Dictionary
embarrassment
playMedical Definition of embarrassment
: difficulty in functioning as a result of disease cardiac embarrassment respiratory embarrassment
Learn More about embarrassment
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for embarrassment Spanish Central: Translation of embarrassment Nglish: Translation of embarrassment for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of embarrassment for Arabic speakers
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