embarrassing 1 of 2

adjective

im-ˈber-ə-siŋ How to pronounce embarrassing (audio)
Definition of embarrassingnext
as in uncomfortable
causing embarrassment an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

embarrassing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of embarrass
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

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of embarrassing
Adjective
The question about Vrabel's family counseling sessions that followed an embarrassing unfurling of a years-long relationship between him and a reporter was met with an answer that ultimately discussed offensive line combination blocks. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Individuals can't plead the Fifth before Congress simply to avoid embarrassing testimony. — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
Benefield alleged her stepmother began isolating her from her father, blaming her for household conflicts, reading her private journal, publicly embarrassing her and seeking to push her out of the family dynamic. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026 Eric Silva isn’t even embarrassing them this season in the Tigers’ system over the Canha trade. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassing
  1. uncomfortable
  2. confusing
  3. impeding
  4. complicating
  5. awkward
  6. mortifying
  7. hampering
  8. perplexing
Adjective
  • Most companies find the first one uncomfortable, because nobody ever chose.
    — Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Spending more time boarding isn’t merely uncomfortable or inconvenient.
    — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncomfortable
Verb
  • The light entering my eyes would bend at two different angles, confusing my brain and making my vision a little blurry.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Bringing in extra mythology wouldn’t make the confusing parts any less confusing, and would just confuse the parts that aren’t confusing at all.
    — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusing
Verb
  • Lynda Albertson, an art-crime analyst, said the works are instantly recognizable, impeding any effort to sell them through reputable channels.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Lynda Albertson, an art crime analyst, said the works are instantly recognizable, impeding any effort to sell them through reputable channels.
    — Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of impeding
Verb
  • The Bundibugyo virus causing the current outbreak in Congo is less common than others that cause Ebola disease, which is complicating the response, because there are no specific treatments or vaccines.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • There are nine newcomers this season and six of last season’s top 12 finishers have new managers in charge, complicating the challenges that lie ahead.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of complicating
Adjective
  • The awkward truth is that blockchain does not offer complete privacy inherently.
    — Ravi Chamria, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The picture that unfolds is messy, awkward and, in the case of the missing AI expert, downright strange.
    — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of awkward
Verb
  • Just last year, the Trust for Public Land scored the city way down at 90th out of 100 cities, the kind of mortifying ranking usually occupied in other categories by Mississippi (sorry, Mississippi).
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
  • 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
Definition of mortifying
Verb
  • Birds visiting the feeder can get the goo on their wings, hampering their ability to fly and possibly leading to their untimely deaths.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Rescuers will use an extrication device and a helicopter, Fathur said, adding that there were no reports of people missing and no challenges hampering the search.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of hampering
Verb
  • Gibson Nash, 21, was charged with first-degree murder after a series of perplexing events eventually led police to his mother’s bloodied body.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • But there were also perplexing moments that punctured the gravitas of the event (even for an event built around hand-to-hand combat).
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026
Definition of perplexing

Browse Nearby Words

embarrasses
embarrassing
embarrassment
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Cite this Entry

“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on embarrassing

Nglish: Translation of embarrassing for Spanish Speakers

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