embarrassing

adjective

em·​bar·​rass·​ing im-ˈber-ə-siŋ How to pronounce embarrassing (audio)
-ˈba-rə-
Synonyms of embarrassing
: 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 How to pronounce embarrassing (audio)
-ˈba-rə-
adverb
an embarrassingly messy house

Synonyms of embarrassing

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Examples of embarrassing in a Sentence

an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But for some people, sweating too much becomes downright obtrusive, stressful and even embarrassing. — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026 Those thresholds place the emergency power far above an embarrassing chatbot answer or a routine software failure. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 The latest incident follows several embarrassing episodes this season with the Giants, who through Thursday are 47-62 and 22 games behind the first-place Dodgers in the National League West. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 But, as the new documents show, that embarrassing episode constitutes separate, and sufficient, grounds for opposing Blanche’s confirmation. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for embarrassing

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of embarrassing was in 1778

Rhymes for embarrassing

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Browse Nearby Words

embarrassed
embarrassing
embarrassment
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Cite this Entry

“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassing. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on embarrassing

Nglish: Translation of embarrassing for Spanish Speakers

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