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
Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
In 2012, the gossip site Gawker, infamous for smearing conservative activists, published embarrassing footage of Hogan that had been secretly recorded and had no legitimate news value.
—George Harris, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
An unwritten rule of the NBA, it is generally viewed as a sign of respect to run out the clock rather than risk embarrassing an opponent.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Adjective
His inept Cabinet ignores, and actually encourages, his very weird and embarrassing meandering.
—Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
In 2012, the gossip site Gawker, infamous for smearing conservative activists, published embarrassing footage of Hogan that had been secretly recorded and had no legitimate news value.
—George Harris, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
And then Thaddeus’s arm falls off, embarrassing his companions.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
An unwritten rule of the NBA, it is generally viewed as a sign of respect to run out the clock rather than risk embarrassing an opponent.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassing
Adjective
-
As this video below from The Athletic explains, the key to making Luis Enrique’s side uncomfortable in possession is to be brave and press high.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Sutskever seemed uncomfortable with this idea.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As if that wasn’t confusing enough, not all Christians agree on what day of the calendar that specific Sunday is.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
4 Apr. 2026
-
However, following the path of Artemis II may be confusing as the astronauts, mission control and others use confusing jargon and phrases.—
ByMary Kekatos,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The indictment includes the conspiracy count, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in federal prison, as well as several other counts of forcibly impeding a federal officer, each punishable by up to one year in federal prison.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
New research from our team of epidemiologists at University of Southern California and University of California, Irvine, shows that blowing dust is impeding the lung growth of children in the region – especially those living closest to the Salton Sea.—
Jill Johnston,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Clements said the mistaken identification may have happened because the creature decomposed and lost its telltale shell before it was fossilized, complicating identification.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The autopsy attributed Patton’s cause of death to acute bacterial bronchopneumonia complicating an influenza A infection, with methadone use as a contributing factor.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Mary Washington’s Kye Robinson attempted an awkward, off-balance shot that missed the rim and landed in the hands of teammate Colin Mitchell under the basket.—
Michael Cunningham,
AJC.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Porsha shuts down any further messy conversations, choosing instead to focus on being a good host, ending the night with an awkward kiss with her fake boyfriend.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The graduation ceremony and the reception afterward are cute and heartwarming for the grown-ups, bittersweet and mortifying for the kids, who skive off to smoke some of Ed’s high-test weed and have a little Texas Forever moment, toasting their enduring friendships.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Classmates saw the sign while riding by Goepper’s home on the school bus, mortifying the teenage Goepper.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The moves have reportedly left the task force without prosecutors with national security experience, hampering its goal to root out American connections to the Hamas attacks (which included 40 Americans among its approximately 1,200 victims).—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The council chambers have only one entrance, hampering security and accessibility needs, and the council desk itself is not ADA-compliant.—
Elliot Mann,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 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 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
