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
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Recent Examples of embarrassing
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
No one on the Clippers has time for sentimental journeys or nostalgia with Wednesday night’s embarrassing 129-108 season-opening loss to the Utah Jazz fresh in their minds.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
That wasn't Carey's first time embarrassing her children.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Adjective
What is your most embarrassing moment on a football field?
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
No one on the Clippers has time for sentimental journeys or nostalgia with Wednesday night’s embarrassing 129-108 season-opening loss to the Utah Jazz fresh in their minds.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
That behavior is embarrassing anywhere, and goes against all of golf etiquette.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
That wasn't Carey's first time embarrassing her children.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassing
Adjective
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Whether the show is about light slowly creeping in on the longest night or an uncomfortable journey someplace, somewhere, marching bands have only eight minutes to get through to each person’s soul.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Oct. 2025
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During an organized ghost-hunt weekend in 2018, the 41-year-old Connecticut resident was already feeling uncomfortable during the group’s exploration in the city’s historic downtown of the building that housed the Moon River Brewing Company, which has since closed.—
Aaron Sagers,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 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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An Illinois Democratic congressional candidate posted video to social media that appears to depict events described in a federal indictment accusing her of impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.—
Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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What To Know The 600 nurses, who are represented by the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), claim the management of their hospital is impeding their ability to retain experienced healthcare workers.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Potentially complicating this further is Microsoft’s expanding partnership with Anthropic, with Claude now available in Microsoft 365 and Excel.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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Meara asks, complicating the matter further by wondering this inquiry aloud while the two of them are chatting with Mike Douglas on his daytime show.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Insert one very awkward stalemate between the pair here.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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Lisa Frankenstein centers on awkward and antisocial high schooler Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton) after the violent demise of her mother.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 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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Tutu Atwell’s role is perplexing Every fan base has some trademark bits.—
Nate Atkins,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Taylor is accustomed to playing forceful characters who have perplexing emotions about motherhood, and in A Thousand and One, Taylor earned her stripes as a performer and acclaim.—
Essence,
Essence,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Garbage disposals can flush away food debris on pots and pans in a flash, but anyone who owns one of these devices knows that unpleasant smells are a regular occurrence.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
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If potatoes get too cold, the tubers turn black or become mushy, grainy, and unpleasant to eat.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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