embarrassment

noun

em·​bar·​rass·​ment im-ˈber-əs-mənt 

-ˈba-rəs-

1

a

: something that embarrasses

the scandal was a major embarrassment

b

: an excessive quantity from which to select

—used especially in the phrase embarrassment of riches

2

: the state of being embarrassed: such as

a

: confusion or disturbance of mind

couldn't hide her embarrassment

b

: difficulty arising from the want of money to pay debts

c

: difficulty in functioning as a result of disease

cardiac embarrassment

Synonyms

• abashment
• confusion
• discomfiture
• disconcertment
• fluster
• mortification

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 on the Web

There was a time when Hubble had the potential to become NASA's biggest embarrassment. —Tariq Malik, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2025

The embarrassment for Manchester United letting a striker leave who then is the star in a Champions League tie against elite opposition is obvious. —Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025

Her Frog Splash on Kelly Kelly, intended as a tribute to her late husband Eddie Guerrero, was poorly executed and awkward, culminating in a clumsy pin that added to the match's overall embarrassment. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025

Maybe not for its own sake, but for fear of being reversed by the higher courts — a true professional embarrassment. —Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing embarrassment

• embarrassment of riches

Kids Definition

embarrassment

noun

em·​bar·​rass·​ment im-ˈbar-əs-mənt 

1

a

: something that embarrasses

the scandal was a terrible embarrassment

b

: an overly large quantity from which to select

—used especially in the phrase embarrassment of riches

2

: the state of being embarrassed

blushed with embarrassment

Medical Definition

embarrassment

noun

em·​bar·​rass·​ment im-ˈbar-ə-smənt 

: difficulty in functioning as a result of disease

cardiac embarrassment

respiratory embarrassment