as in uncomfortable
causing embarrassment
an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of embarrassing
Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2026
The father of two and community activist said the encounters can range from embarrassing and annoying to downright frightening.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
This risks embarrassing them if it is damaged and there is nothing that can be done about it.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Adjective
That’s almost more embarrassing.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2026
The father of two and community activist said the encounters can range from embarrassing and annoying to downright frightening.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Verb
The Charlotte Checkers opened the AHL playoffs with a bang Wednesday, embarrassing the Springfield Thunderbirds in the opening game of the teams’ first-round AHL playoff series in Charlotte.
—Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
This risks embarrassing them if it is damaged and there is nothing that can be done about it.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassing
Adjective
-
Vinod brought the long view and the uncomfortable predictions.—
Brian Solis,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Say goodbye to uncomfortable underwear that digs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Stop confusing busy with productive Founders in the struggle zone are busy.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Schoen’s contract extension is confusing at best.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The authorities also required journalists to obtain a permit to report on the outbreak, impeding their work.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
-
Advertisement More than 600 defendants were accused of assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers during the riot, and nearly 175 were accused of using dangerous or deadly weapons.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The attacks are complicating US peace talks with Iran, with Tehran insisting that any ceasefire with Washington must include Israel’s operations in Lebanon.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
-
Health officials say the outbreak likely circulated undetected for weeks before it was identified, complicating efforts to trace contacts and isolate infected individuals.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Indeed, a dying wish and a cryptic clue lead the unlikely duo on a journey full of twists and turns, bad choices, awkward conversations, lies, fights, mystery, betrayal, and a dangerous killer.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
-
Stakeholder facilitation and consensus-building bridge communication gaps and ease awkward conversations about one’s own compensation.—
Jim Hebets,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Just last year, the Trust for Public Land scored the city way down at 90th out of 100 cities, the kind of mortifying ranking usually occupied in other categories by Mississippi (sorry, Mississippi).—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Baby Reindeer was hardly a laugh riot, but mortifying humor is still humor and, with episodic running times in the 30-minute range, the show had a charging, unpredictable momentum.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Deep mistrust among some people in the town is hampering response efforts to the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus — for which there is no vaccine.—
Emmet Livingstone,
NPR,
28 May 2026
-
Kojan, who has been involved in fighting previous Ebola outbreaks in central and western Africa and is president of the Alliance for International Medical Action, said deep mistrust within some local communities is hampering efforts to contain the virus.—
Tom Soufi Burridge,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
That none of this has ever been clear to Gisèle is perplexing even to her.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
-
While initially perplexing to the Messers and other anglers, some now believe this was part of Phillips’ long con.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
