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
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Recent Examples of embarrassing
Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 13 June 2026
Berhalter survived the scandal, but he was eventually fired, following an embarrassing showing at another tournament.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 13 June 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
Their only semifinal appearance in the last five World Cups came at home, and that was the infamous, embarrassing 7-1 loss to Germany.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 13 June 2026
Berhalter survived the scandal, but he was eventually fired, following an embarrassing showing at another tournament.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 13 June 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
-
Still, the atmosphere was uncomfortable enough that Habermas left the institute a year later, to write his Habilitation, or second dissertation, a requirement for qualifying as a professor in German universities.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
Don’t suffer through summer in uncomfortable shoes.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The most common mistake is confusing more communication with a better signal.—
Gerald J. Leonard,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s investigation of the alternative medicine industry uncovered a pattern of practitioners across Georgia pushing legal limits on what they’re allowed to do and presenting confusing information about their credentials.—
Carrie Teegardin,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Smoke could also make for dangerous driving conditions by impeding visibility.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Wednesday's arrests were part of the 15 charged Tuesday with impeding the work of immigration agents during and after Operation Metro Surge.—
Esme Murphy,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Sarandon brings a welcome unpredictability to Sylvia, complicating a character who might otherwise have curdled into cliche.—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
-
That period was marred by thousands of disappearances and deaths, shaping Lebanese distrust and complicating feelings toward Syria.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
The awkward situation that Thiago is talking about involves receiving the ball with his back to a player who is closing him down at speed from behind.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Almost nine years after their awkward handshake at the 2017 Bastille Day military parade, the two men politely shook hands and expressed their affinity for each other.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
15 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
-
Winds of up to 50 mph stoked the flames and severely limited the fire response by hampering boat and aircraft access to the remote island.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
The systematic dismantling of USAID has led to catastrophic humanitarian situations in Africa, including hampering the global response to the current Ebola outbreak.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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