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
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
Four years later, during a University of Miami game against Bethune-Cookman, Stevenson remembers again letting his confidence overflow to a point of embarrassment.
—
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
In the comedy series, Russ goes undercover as Chad Powers to walk onto the struggling South Georgia Catfish team eight years after becoming an embarrassment following a costly mistake at the national championship.
—Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
During reunion weekend, former editors and writers also like to see their youthful work through a lens of nostalgia, (sometimes) embarrassment, and joy.
—Joshua Finnell, JSTOR Daily, 1 Oct. 2025
Romney speculated that the president’s past embarrassment could be driving his call to prosecute his enemies.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassment
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Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
In the comedy series, Russ goes undercover as Chad Powers to walk onto the struggling South Georgia Catfish team eight years after becoming an embarrassment following a costly mistake at the national championship.
—Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
During reunion weekend, former editors and writers also like to see their youthful work through a lens of nostalgia, (sometimes) embarrassment, and joy.
—Joshua Finnell, JSTOR Daily, 1 Oct. 2025
Romney speculated that the president’s past embarrassment could be driving his call to prosecute his enemies.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassment
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassment. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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