embarrassing 1 of 2

adjective

im-ˈber-ə-siŋ How to pronounce embarrassing (audio)
Definition of embarrassingnext
as in uncomfortable
causing embarrassment an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

embarrassing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of embarrass
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

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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

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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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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
Adjective
The very reason for the room is what’s most embarrassing about it. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026 Damon, who stars as Odysseus in Christopher Nolan’s new epic, was the subject of an embarrassing gaffe during Sunday’s telecast of the final game of the 2026 World Cup. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026
Verb
The moms aren’t embarrassing their kids. — Michelle Sobel, Fortune, 23 June 2026 Lutnick's voluntary closed-door interview comes amid a monthslong procession of powerful people summoned before the committee, many of whom have been subjected to embarrassing revelations in the more than 3 million pages of records known as the Epstein files. — Graham Kates, CBS News, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassing
  1. uncomfortable
  2. confusing
  3. impeding
  4. complicating
  5. awkward
  6. mortifying
  7. hampering
  8. perplexing
Adjective
  • Then, in his most recent outing against the Angels, Skubal dominated for seven shutout innings, a forceful reminder of the ability that led him to this uncomfortable precipice.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Abi Adamson, author of Culture Blooming (the Substack and book) starts somewhere more uncomfortable.
    — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of uncomfortable
Verb
  • Experts argue that while autism doesn't excuse criminal acts, failing to understand its impact risks confusing impaired social reasoning with criminal intent, leading to unjust outcomes.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • How Patients Can Choose More Carefully Istanbul has a lot of options, which can feel both useful and also confusing at the same time.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of confusing
Verb
  • The findings come as countries are determining how to put up guardrails around AI without impeding their ability to compete in the rapidly developing field.
    — Didi Tang, Fortune, 16 July 2026
  • These vehicles were blocking and impeding fire operations, and several were non-operational and required tow truck assistance for removal.
    — Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of impeding
Verb
  • Further complicating exports, Yemen's Houthi rebels are now disrupting shipping in the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, targeting Saudi tankers and threatening an alternative oil route.
    — Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • His long-term future surely hovered as another complicating factor.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of complicating
Adjective
  • Prior to Trump’s remarks, there were some awkward moments onstage as annual awards were given out, including to some journalists behind investigations of the president.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 July 2026
  • Talk about finances before combining households Money is one of the most common flashpoints for couples sharing a home, which is why experts urge partners to have the awkward conversations first.
    — Ashley Lynch July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
Definition of awkward
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
Definition of mortifying
Verb
  • Yet Cruz sees no time to waste, as non-revenue-generating sports continue to fold at universities big and small, hampering US competitiveness in Olympic sports.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 July 2026
  • Because the injection must then be sent (or pushed) to each specific target, the scale of the attack is limited, hampering mass exploits that hit the Internet at large.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026
Definition of hampering
Verb
  • But there were also perplexing moments that punctured the gravitas of the event (even for an event built around hand-to-hand combat).
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026
  • That none of this has ever been clear to Gisèle is perplexing even to her.
    — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
Definition of perplexing

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Cite this Entry

“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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