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
Mark TwainExamples of embarrassing in a Sentence
an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor
Recent Examples on the Web
Two days later in Denver, the Padres were shut out in perhaps their most embarrassing defeat of the season.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
But then one small spill happens and you may be stuck wearing an embarrassing token of it all day long.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Standing up in front of the House of Commons on Wednesday to back Mandelson—before firing him less than 24 hours later—was embarrassing.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
But the Dolphins also lost in embarrassing fashion, 33-8 to the Colts in Week 1.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
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Dennis Lin, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
But then one small spill happens and you may be stuck wearing an embarrassing token of it all day long.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Standing up in front of the House of Commons on Wednesday to back Mandelson—before firing him less than 24 hours later—was embarrassing.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
But the Dolphins also lost in embarrassing fashion, 33-8 to the Colts in Week 1.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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