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
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Recent Examples of embarrassing
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Yes absolutely, the level of vitriol on the Delray Beach City Commission is unacceptable and honestly embarrassing for our city.
—Judy Mollica, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Some mushroom bills backfired when their true impacts became known, embarrassing legislators who voted for them, and forcing them to backtrack.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Adjective
Wearing what’s possibly the most embarrassing bridal headdress in the history of nuptials, Suzanna looks even more helpless and hopeless.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Yes absolutely, the level of vitriol on the Delray Beach City Commission is unacceptable and honestly embarrassing for our city.
—Judy Mollica, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
Recently, Ryan spoke about the Beckham situation, the process of writing material as a mother without embarrassing her kids and her new goal of returning to the career trajectory of her pre-pregnant self in the near future.
—Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Some mushroom bills backfired when their true impacts became known, embarrassing legislators who voted for them, and forcing them to backtrack.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassing
Adjective
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Meanwhile, the situation at the Ankara State Theater has uncomfortable parallels with the recent shuttering of the Kennedy Center in Washington in response to the artists boycotting it in protest at its rebranding.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2026
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The role of any newspaper, especially one with the long and proud legacy of The Sun, is not to smooth over uncomfortable realities in the name of civility.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At Hotel Lorenzo, managing partner Justin Burton said confusing detours and signage are creating frustration for visitors.—
Nicole Nielsen,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
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But missing details on tax forms, such as on your W-2 from an employer, could be confusing when filing returns this year, experts say.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While some of those charged allegedly violated other parts of the law, such as assaulting officers or resisting arrest, many others arrested were accused only of impeding agents while protesting their operations, attorneys said.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Recruitment and retention Wages are impeding both recruitment and retention within the department, Veit said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But her government first must tackle rising prices and stagnant wages, complicating her ultra-conservative social agenda on immigration and women’s rights.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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But the sheer number of people implicated, the varying degrees of association with Epstein, and other complicating factors have made repercussions for others slower to emerge.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Reaching backward or twisting around other people to grab a bag is awkward and strains muscles.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
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These things are often awkward at the best of times and with the best of families, but this oddball mess of a household might just be the actual worst.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Classmates saw the sign while riding by Goepper’s home on the school bus, mortifying the teenage Goepper.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
18 Feb. 2026
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Ursula Lindsey The Norwegian writer Vigdis Hjorth has a gift for depicting painful, confusing, and mortifying relationships.—
Joanna Walsh,
The New York Review of Books,
15 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Despite a season-ending ACL tear sustained by Jimmy Butler and nagging knee soreness hampering Steph Curry, Golden State still has playoff hopes.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
9 Feb. 2026
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The move comes as the container shipping industry at large is reeling from declines in freight rates over the past year, hampering the bottom lines of many carriers.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That’s perplexing to Alvarez and Oakley, given that Cal State tuition is still relatively low, despite recent annual tuition hikes.—
Cal Matters,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
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The disjunction between the abstract composition and the notion of self-portraiture appeared perplexing in its own right; its inoperability only exacerbated the viewer’s frustration and redoubled the artist’s impish provocation.—
Ara H. Merjian,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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