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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of embarrassing
Omar Kelly
october 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
That looks so embarrassing now.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Blake Simons, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2025
That behavior is embarrassing anywhere, and goes against all of golf etiquette.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Adjective
Steve Ross did the easy thing after watching Miami’s third embarrassing loss of this 2-7 season, a 28-6 beatdown the Baltimore Ravens gave Miami in front of a national audience.
—Omar Kelly
october 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
That looks so embarrassing now.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
More recently, that type of direction has become outdated — in a way, even embarrassing to request.
—Blake Simons, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2025
That behavior is embarrassing anywhere, and goes against all of golf etiquette.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 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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In affected areas, forecasters report visibility frequently reduced to a quarter mile or less, complicating travel along key highways, interstates, and rural routes.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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The heat and humidity are complicating recovery efforts.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
30 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 that display from our fans was mortifying.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
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The people who have the most money and power are the first to give up, and, frankly, that should be mortifying for them.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 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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But as the fearsome storm unfolded, perplexing science questions emerged, said Joshua Wadler, an associate scientist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach who was aboard the flights on Kermit with Hazelton.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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