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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Another obstacle is that the group hasn’t secured a stadium site.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
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Black entrepreneurs continue to face tremendous obstacles securing funding, city contracts and institutional support.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Noun
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Footage showing kneeling detainees sparks outrage from Israel’s foreign minister, rights advocates and governments in Italy, Turkey and Greece, who accuse Israel of abuse, humiliation and damaging its international standing.—
Natalie Melzer,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
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Cuba has been a thorn in the side of the United States for decades, notably including the humiliation of then-President Kennedy over the Bay of Pigs debacle in 1961.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Newport Harbor multi-event standout Natalie McCarty qualified in the 100 and 300 hurdles.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
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Iran is moving its World Cup training base from Tucson to Tijuana, the president of the country’s soccer federation said Saturday, removing one of the final hurdles to its participation in this summer’s tournament.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Noun
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Fortunately, the Panthers traded up in the second round to take Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter before knowing about Wharton’s neck discomfort, according to Canales.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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Wired ran a story about the butt pillows used by OpenAI’s phalanx of lawyers and executives, including the president and co-defendant, Greg Brockman, to insulate themselves from the discomfort of the court’s benches.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Mailyan is due to be sentenced on September 10, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and five years in prison for each count of obstruction.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
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Washington, under Trump, views this not as an independent initiative but as an obstruction, and is increasingly willing to use tariffs, energy threats, and diplomatic pressure to bring Paris back into line.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
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The Beloved offers another prime showcase for Sorogoyen’s art of unease, as well as for Bardem’s talent for playing men who can fly off the handle at any moment (Martínez is like Anton Chigurh strapped to a director’s chair).—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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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
Noun
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Their removal has raised concerns of political interference as Kennedy seeks to wield more influence over HHS’s panels of independent experts.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
20 May 2026
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Marte’s three-run homer, the first walk-off of his career, was preceded by home plate umpire Bill Miller calling Susac for catcher’s interference.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassment. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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