embarrassed

adjective

em·​bar·​rassed im-ˈber-əst How to pronounce embarrassed (audio)
-ˈba-rəst
: feeling or showing a state of self-conscious confusion and distress
I've never been so embarrassed in my life.
was too embarrassed to ask for help
an embarrassed smile
embarrassedly
im-ˈber-əst-lē How to pronounce embarrassed (audio)
-ə-səd-lē;
-ˈba-rəst-lē
-rə-səd-
adverb
smiling embarrassedly

Examples of embarrassed in a Sentence

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.
The Los Angeles Lakers were embarrassed on their home court to start the NBA Playoffs on Saturday night, as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat them 117-95 in a game where starters didn’t even need to stay on the floor throughout the fourth quarter. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025 Why do some people ruminate after social events? Broadly speaking, people living with social anxiety possess a fear of being judged by others negatively and of being embarrassed in social situations, say Steele and Di Bartolomeo. Seraphina Seow, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025 When the detective asked what happened, the girl was upset, embarrassed, and didn’t want to elaborate. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025 The Jets were embarrassed by their five-game playoff performance against the Colorado Avalanche last spring but began 2024-25 with virtually the same roster. Murat Ates, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for embarrassed

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of embarrassed was in 1756

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Embarrassed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassed. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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