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 hampering
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
Celtic exited this season’s Champions League in August after an embarrassing 5-1 thrashing by LASK in Austria, losing the tie 5-4 on aggregate having been 4-0 ahead at one stage. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 But no one gets in and out of QVC without at least one embarrassing blunder. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
Things escalate as the two share a car ride home from a fancy gala and the bad man yells at her for embarrassing him. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026 Neither party acted on it; Republicans wanted to avoid embarrassing Trump, while Democrats wanted to avoid embarrassing Nancy Pelosi, whose husband is an active trader. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassing
  1. uncomfortable
  2. confusing
  3. hampering
  4. complicating
  5. awkward
  6. mortifying
  7. impeding
  8. perplexing
Adjective
  • Pryor taught me that comedy can be dangerous, uncomfortable, and still bring down the house.
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Speaking from experience, the right footwear can transform an uncomfortable ensemble into something actually functional, warm, and totally worth wearing.
    — Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncomfortable
Verb
  • The Justice Department has argued in its suit that the name overlap risks confusing voters.
    — Willem Marx, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Cyan could theoretically fill the visual gap without confusing road users.
    — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of confusing
Verb
  • The officials said the restrictions were disrupting high-speed military drones, hampering Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian attacks and conduct operations along the front line.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Kyiv sees this as an attempt to pressure it into concessions by hampering its aerial defense and military operations.
    — David Hickey, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of hampering
Verb
  • Solid economic growth and steady consumer spending are also exerting upward pressure on prices, complicating the task of taming inflation, according to economists.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Depending on their design, these systems can support missions by disrupting radar coverage or complicating an adversary’s air defense operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of complicating
Adjective
  • Trump’s local appearances might present an awkward situation for some candidates who have sought to distance themselves from the president.
    — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In Sam’s case, his roaring egotism is somewhat awkward because he’s also obsessed with the idea of being altruistic.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of awkward
Verb
  • Kikuchi makes Haru’s occasionally mortifying romantic pursuit both funny and affecting, embracing the character’s impulsive, sometimes ridiculous behavior without diminishing the depth of her loss.
    — Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The film approaches its health crisis with amazing balance and breadth, resulting in a mortifying conflict that feels uniquely global in scale.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of mortifying
Verb
  • Police said the car was swerving across lanes, impeding traffic and forcing other drivers to brake or take action to avoid her car.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Advertisement But other allies of Jackson say an overcautious campaign is impeding the Bernie Sanders progressive and stalwart labor champion from connecting with voters.
    — Julia Terruso, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of impeding
Verb
  • Gibson Nash, 21, was charged with first-degree murder after a series of perplexing events eventually led police to his mother’s bloodied body.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of perplexing

Browse Nearby Words

embarrasses
embarrassing
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Cite this Entry

“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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