Synonyms of embarrasses

embarrasses

verb

present tense third-person singular of embarrass

1

as in confuses

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

• confuses
• flusters
• bothers
• rattles
• disturbs
• mortifies
• disconcerts
• unsettles
• humiliates
• upsets
• confounds
• discomfits
• fazes
• distresses
• perturbs
• discountenances
• shames
• dismays
• nonpluses
• abashes
• agitates
• disquiets
• humbles
• unhinges
• demeans
• degrades
• debases
• discomforts
• puts off
• chagrins
• discomposes
• puts out
• queers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relieves
• calms
• soothes
• encourages
• comforts
• consoles
• cheers
• assures
• reassures
• emboldens
• buoys
• heartens

2

as in impedes

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impedes
• hinders
• hampers
• obstructs
• inhibits
• stymies
• handicaps
• short-circuits
• disrupts
• encumbers
• hobbles
• restrains
• blocks
• frustrates
• interferes (with)
• delays
• constrains
• cramps
• ties up
• clogs
• thwarts
• holds back
• stifles
• handcuffs
• fetters
• shackles
• hog-ties
• trammels
• binds
• balks
• ties
• gives a hard time
• cramps one's style
• retards
• curbs
• retains
• baffles
• reins
• manacles
• strangles
• sabotages
• chokes
• brakes
• derails
• holds up
• checks
• smothers
• suffocates
• chains
• arrests
• represses
• tethers
• bogs (down)
• roadblocks
• confines
• suppresses
• foils
• barricades
• mires
• leashes
• blockades
• halters
• stumps
• muzzles
• hedges (in)
• hems (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• helps
• facilitates
• aids
• assists
• opens
• clears
• liberates
• frees
• encourages
• unties
• releases
• promotes
• loosens
• smooths
• unplugs
• unclogs
• furthers
• unstops
• makes way

3

as in complicates

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

• complicates
• perplexes
• intensifies
• confuses
• complexes
• entangles
• expands
• elaborates
• complexifies
• sophisticates
• develops
• muddles
• magnifies
• confounds
• snarls
• mixes (up)
• tangles
• messes (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• simplifies
• shortens
• facilitates
• streamlines
• cuts
• eases
• abbreviates
• unravels
• oversimplifies
• straightens (out)
• untangles
• disentangles

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of embarrasses

Universities responded by raising tuition to a sticker price that embarrasses the word tuition. — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2026

Or from locking up Mick Cronin through 2030, even though UCLA’s prickly basketball coach embarrasses the university annually and hasn’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2023. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse? — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026

But the stunt goes south as Wooley turns out to be an unabashed bigot who embarrasses the show and gets scolded by the host. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026

Their team might need the firmer assessment that challenges pride and even embarrasses, then the next year's group might need a lighter touch. — ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026

There, the father of the bride gets too drunk and embarrasses himself. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Dec. 2025