Synonyms of embarrass

embarrass

verb

im-ˈber-əs 

1

as in to confuse

to throw into a state of self-conscious distress

the modest young soldiers were embarrassed by the public praise for their heroism

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confuse
• fluster
• bother
• mortify
• rattle
• disturb
• disconcert
• humiliate
• faze
• unsettle
• upset
• discomfit
• confound
• discountenance
• distress
• abash
• perturb
• discomfort
• nonplus
• agitate
• shame
• demean
• dismay
• unhinge
• humble
• disquiet
• degrade
• debase
• put off
• chagrin
• discompose
• put out
• queer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relieve
• encourage
• soothe
• calm
• comfort
• console
• assure
• cheer
• reassure
• embolden
• hearten
• buoy

2

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

a lot of this paperwork is unnecessary and just embarrasses the organization

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impede
• hinder
• hamper
• obstruct
• inhibit
• stymie
• handicap
• disrupt
• delay
• restrain
• interfere (with)
• encumber
• frustrate
• hobble
• cramp
• constrain
• block
• handcuff
• tie up
• clog
• thwart
• hold back
• shackle
• short-circuit
• hog-tie
• fetter
• stifle
• trammel
• tie
• give a hard time
• curb
• bind
• rein
• balk
• retard
• retain
• cramp one's style
• hold up
• strangle
• check
• manacle
• brake
• choke
• arrest
• baffle
• derail
• sabotage
• confine
• bog (down)
• smother
• tether
• barricade
• suffocate
• repress
• chain
• leash
• blockade
• foil
• suppress
• mire
• halter
• muzzle
• roadblock
• stump
• hem (in)
• hedge (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• assist
• facilitate
• aid
• open
• liberate
• clear
• make way
• encourage
• promote
• release
• free
• loosen
• unplug
• unstop
• unclog
• untie
• further
• smooth

3

as in to complicate

to make complex or difficult

claims that the new government regulations will needlessly embarrass the operations of small businesses in the state

Synonyms & Similar Words

• complicate
• perplex
• intensify
• complex
• confuse
• entangle
• complexify
• expand
• elaborate
• sophisticate
• develop
• confound
• magnify
• muddle
• snarl
• mix (up)
• tangle
• mess (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• simplify
• streamline
• facilitate
• shorten
• cut
• ease
• straighten (out)
• abbreviate
• unravel
• disentangle
• untangle
• oversimplify

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb embarrass contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of embarrass are abash, discomfit, disconcert, and rattle. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

When might abash be a better fit than embarrass?

The synonyms abash and embarrass are sometimes interchangeable, but abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

In what contexts can discomfit take the place of embarrass?

The meanings of discomfit and embarrass largely overlap; however, discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When would disconcert be a good substitute for embarrass?

While in some cases nearly identical to embarrass, disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

Where would rattle be a reasonable alternative to embarrass?

The words rattle and embarrass can be used in similar contexts, but rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of embarrass

Ukraine's daring incursion last August led to the first occupation of Russian soil by foreign troops since World War II and embarrassed the Kremlin. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

But the medical-looking royal blue bottles of nicotine lozenges embarrassed her. —Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025

Many of them had to fail, repeat, embarrass themselves, risk everything, and learn. —Ars Technica, 23 Mar. 2025

Get okay with the idea that in the future, your past work will embarrass you. —Jodie Cook, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

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