embarrassing

adjective

em·​bar·​rass·​ing im-ˈber-ə-siŋ 

-ˈba-rə-

: causing a feeling of self-conscious confusion and distress : causing embarrassment

an embarrassing error

The official was ever so polite, and ever so sorry, but the rule was strict, and he could not let us in. It was very embarrassing, for many eyes were on us.

—Mark Twain

embarrassingly

im-ˈber-ə-siŋ-lē 

-ˈba-rə-

adverb

an embarrassingly messy house

Synonyms

• awkward
• discomfiting
• disconcerting
• disturbing
• flustering
• uncomfortable

Examples of embarrassing in a Sentence

an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor

Recent Examples on the Web

The shutting down of airports was potentially embarrassing for Moscow, as delegations from countries that have remained friendly to Russia were flying in to attend the parade on Friday. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 May 2025

This is so embarrassing for the Trump administration. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025

The practice has gone down in Wolves lore as one of the most embarrassing in franchise history, and that’s saying something. —Anthony Slater, New York Times, 7 May 2025

Diefenbaker, enraged, threatened embarrassing public retaliation. —Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embarrassing

• polarising
• terracing