as in uncomfortable
causing embarrassment
an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in confusing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impeding
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
a lot of this paperwork is unnecessary and just embarrasses the organization
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in complicating
to make complex or difficult
claims that the new government regulations will needlessly embarrass the operations of small businesses in the state
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of embarrassing
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
The sudden sting, the constant urge to run to the bathroom and the interruptions to work or intimacy can feel both embarrassing and unsettling.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Blake Simons, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2025
That behavior is embarrassing anywhere, and goes against all of golf etiquette.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Adjective
Two years ago, a 6-0 start turned into 8-5 with a pair of embarrassing losses.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
The sudden sting, the constant urge to run to the bathroom and the interruptions to work or intimacy can feel both embarrassing and unsettling.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
More recently, that type of direction has become outdated — in a way, even embarrassing to request.
—Blake Simons, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2025
That behavior is embarrassing anywhere, and goes against all of golf etiquette.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassing
Adjective
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My seat is hard and uncomfortable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Whoever dispatched that ambulance might be one of many employees at the Department of Emergency Communications who have felt uncomfortable, yelled at and trapped between their calling to help people and what several current and former dispatchers have called a hostile work environment.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Perplexity’s image features photographs of people with some truly nightmarish distortions on its wall, while the placement of its sink is confusing and distracting.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
25 Oct. 2025
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This was out of respect for me, and also to avoid confusing the children.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Polls previously found Abughazaleh in second place in the Democratic primary, but her run could be complicated by a federal indictment for impeding an ICE operation in Chicago.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
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Previously, his arguments have been focused largely on moderating inflation and the importance of the Fed not impeding economic growth with higher rates.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Forecasters expect 3 to 6 inches of snow in some areas, with gusty winds reducing visibility and complicating travel.—
Sirena Bergman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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But there are already some variables complicating the timeline.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The rise of digital payment systems has made tipping both easier and more awkward, especially when prompts appear at counters, kiosks and drive-thru windows.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Use this a couple of times a week for smoother, brighter skin (without getting sunburnt and sand in awkward places).—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And that display from our fans was mortifying.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
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The people who have the most money and power are the first to give up, and, frankly, that should be mortifying for them.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And since the deal, Israel has refused to reengage with the agency, hampering large-scale relief efforts.—
Jeremy Konyndyk,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Oct. 2025
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With injuries and inconsistency hampering the wide receiver corps, the Commanders are set to host former Tennessee Titans first-round draft pick Treylon Burks.—
Josh Buckhalter,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But as the fearsome storm unfolded, perplexing science questions emerged, said Joshua Wadler, an associate scientist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach who was aboard the flights on Kermit with Hazelton.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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Tutu Atwell’s role is perplexing Every fan base has some trademark bits.—
Nate Atkins,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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