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
Janis Carr, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
The film’s opening stretch whizzes along as Charli — a natural, engaging actor — is dragged from one banal, vaguely embarrassing meeting or negotiation to another, sketchy vignettes usually punctuated at their close by Charli putting on her dark sunglasses and retreating back inward.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Lewis started off really slow but settled in and finished 22-of-35 passing for 299 yards and two scores and kept it a competitive game after the Buffaloes had been blown out in embarrassing fashion the previous two weeks.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Adjective
Before that, though, there were 21 losses and just six victories, a spiral that started with their season opener – an embarrassing 129-108 road defeat against the Utah Jazz.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
The film’s opening stretch whizzes along as Charli — a natural, engaging actor — is dragged from one banal, vaguely embarrassing meeting or negotiation to another, sketchy vignettes usually punctuated at their close by Charli putting on her dark sunglasses and retreating back inward.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
And the Chiefs sawed the legs off their throne, gleefully embarrassing them.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Lewis started off really slow but settled in and finished 22-of-35 passing for 299 yards and two scores and kept it a competitive game after the Buffaloes had been blown out in embarrassing fashion the previous two weeks.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassing
Adjective
-
When they’re installed without fixing underlying issues, homeowners can end up disappointed, uncomfortable or paying more than expected.—
Brynn Cooksey,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Lenses can crack, and frames can crack or warp in a way that makes wearing them difficult or uncomfortable.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For example, during a recent power outage in San Francisco, autonomous robotaxis got stuck at intersections, blocking emergency vehicles and confusing other drivers.—
Murugan Anandarajan,
The Conversation,
22 Jan. 2026
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The projectionist showed the second reel first, and as my grandfather said, the film was already confusing enough.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Several other cases remain pending — most notably the high-profile conspiracy charges against six protesters, including several Democratic political candidates, accused of impeding immigration officers and damaging a vehicle outside the Broadview ICE facility in September.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
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In the end, she was issued a $164 citation for impeding traffic by refusing to follow a temporary traffic pattern.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Main roadways have improved, but City of Memphis Public Works Director Scott Morgan on Tuesday said the sleet that had frozen on top of the snow was complicating plowing efforts.—
Jack Armstrong,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
28 Jan. 2026
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She was also criticized for encouraging violence against Black Africans who supported the Apartheid regime, complicating her legacy.—
Jeremy Helligar,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Scenes around the dinner table are awkward to say the least, but Meg has a big supporter in bestie Penny (Sophia Torres) and a burning desire to bring this show to life against all odds.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
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All four athletes stood together, smiling for photos through an undeniably awkward situation.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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And that display from our fans was mortifying.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The wintry blast, after hampering malls and stores Sunday, is making travel challenging Monday with roads still presenting treacherous conditions, coated by a mixture of frozen precipitation.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Jan. 2026
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Elon Musk warned the biggest issue hampering AI advancement in the United States is a problem Chinese competitors don’t have.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Even more than the finished show, this eerie, perplexing multi-Gaga spectacle feels like a glimpse into her subconscious.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
13 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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