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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of embarrassing
Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Illinois also has anti-cyberbullying laws and is among 46 states that have laws addressing the growing and embarrassing problem of deepfakes, spread usually by teen boys.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Newcastle must respond following that embarrassing second-half capitulation at Camp Nou.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Adjective
Across TikTok, Instagram and group chats, young people are constantly editing themselves, trimming anything that might come off as try-hard, awkward or embarrassing.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Illinois also has anti-cyberbullying laws and is among 46 states that have laws addressing the growing and embarrassing problem of deepfakes, spread usually by teen boys.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
Harbaugh has taken a blow torch to the Giants’ embarrassing special teams unit.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Newcastle must respond following that embarrassing second-half capitulation at Camp Nou.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassing
Adjective
-
The Magic are now 1-7 in playoff games when Banchero scores 30 or more, a statistic that raises uncomfortable questions about everything around him.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
Put America’s sleep numbers next to its peer nations and the picture gets more uncomfortable.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Amanda Peet has had people confusing her for Lake Bell at restaurants, airports, red carpets and everywhere in between.—
Laura Lane,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
But online as an antidote only works if the sector stops confusing access with quality.—
Ian Gibson,
Twin Cities,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Most glaring, the shrunken frame meant the steering wheel was impeding Fever’s ability to use the brake pedal.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Palermo pleaded guilty to one felony count of assaulting, resisting, and impeding persons assisting federal officers and employees with a deadly or dangerous weapon.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ian does his best to make the most of his time with his son, but the single father has a knack for complicating things.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2026
-
These dynamic risks are prolonging inflation and complicating the path for central banks, which may need to keep interest rates higher for longer to contain price pressures.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Cohen offered limited clarity on the structure during what at times was a combative and awkward interview, repeatedly directing viewers to the company's website for details.—
Yun Li,Anniek Bao,Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
-
The awkward catching-up process turns into energetic conversations about race, relationships, class, status and rehabilitation, then shifts to deep familial spiritual bonding.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Baby Reindeer was hardly a laugh riot, but mortifying humor is still humor and, with episodic running times in the 30-minute range, the show had a charging, unpredictable momentum.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The graduation ceremony and the reception afterward are cute and heartwarming for the grown-ups, bittersweet and mortifying for the kids, who skive off to smoke some of Ed’s high-test weed and have a little Texas Forever moment, toasting their enduring friendships.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the third game of his career, the 2024 second-round pick re-tore the ACL in his right knee, further hampering an injury history that dated back to his final year at the University of Texas.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
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According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the truck drove through the airport's version of a stop light and the vehicle lacked a transponder, hampering a crash warning system.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That none of this has ever been clear to Gisèle is perplexing even to her.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
-
While initially perplexing to the Messers and other anglers, some now believe this was part of Phillips’ long con.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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