1
as in confusion
the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable
experienced the great embarrassment of tripping while on stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
a big suitcase filled with clothes proved to be more an embarrassment than a convenience on my trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of embarrassment
Did the connotations of travelling with Spirit carry a sense of embarrassment?
—
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Continue reading … FRIENDLY FIRE — Biden's own team trashes Xavier Becerra as 'embarrassment' in takedown of CA governor hopeful.
—FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
And while both old and young reported similar levels of long-term regrets, the older people had less anger, irritation, and embarrassment over what had gone wrong.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 May 2026
Of those 19 games, eight of them have been the lowest home attendance marks in club history for a franchise coming off three consecutive 100-loss seasons, including a historic 119-defeat embarrassment in 2025.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for embarrassment
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Continue reading … FRIENDLY FIRE — Biden's own team trashes Xavier Becerra as 'embarrassment' in takedown of CA governor hopeful.
—FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
And while both old and young reported similar levels of long-term regrets, the older people had less anger, irritation, and embarrassment over what had gone wrong.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 May 2026
Of those 19 games, eight of them have been the lowest home attendance marks in club history for a franchise coming off three consecutive 100-loss seasons, including a historic 119-defeat embarrassment in 2025.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for embarrassment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassment
Noun
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Constant changes and slow IRS guidance led to widespread confusion and, eventually, abuse that forced the IRS to put a moratorium on claims on September 14, 2023 until August 8, 2024.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
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So there’s little doubt that the emergence of jumbo-size Messi’s across America’s lawns create more intrigue than confusion, even in a nation where soccer as a whole remains a second-tier sport.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
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But as the necessities of their jobs begin to push them farther apart, truckdriving becomes a serious obstacle to their budding relationship.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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The incidents involving contact with chains, trailer hitches, poles, and curbs indicate recurring limitations in detecting smaller or irregular obstacles, especially during reversing maneuvers.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Jane says she’s watched Val for 20 years in an industry that has given her nothing but humiliation.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
-
Not long into their humiliation of the Hawks, Jalen Brunson sprawled out for a loose ball.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
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The former junkyard is seen as ripe for future redevelopment, but an environmental clean-up is clearly a costly hurdle to be cleared.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
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Regular New Yorkers don’t care about the reasons for the bureaucratic hurdles.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Starting with smaller portions, adding fiber gradually, and drinking enough water can help your digestion adjust and reduce discomfort.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
13 May 2026
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Artists deploy discomfort not for shock, but as a means of recalibrating perception.—
Andrew S. Jacobson,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Smith was indicted for principal to manslaughter, principal to felony hazing and obstruction of justice.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
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In December, Hill pleaded guilty to state charges of misconduct, perjury and obstruction of justice and was put on probation.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Though the vote still failed largely along party lines, Murkowski's flip was a warning sign for the White House about the unease of some Republicans on Capitol Hill as the conflict drags on.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
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Many Asian countries now count China as their largest trading partner, a reality that creates both opportunity and unease.—
Yu Jie,
Time,
13 May 2026
Noun
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After the review, McNabb was assessed a five-minute major penalty for interference and a game misconduct that ended his night.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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Reduced visibility from fog, rain, snow or dust, along with sensor or windshield interference from droplets, ice or dirt, can obstruct perception, while slippery road surfaces can reduce traction and change braking performance.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassment. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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