embarrassment
noun
em·bar·rass·ment
im-ˈber-əs-mənt 
-ˈba-rəs-
1
a
: something that embarrasses
the scandal was a major embarrassment
b
: an excessive quantity from which to select
—used especially in the phrase embarrassment of riches
2
: the state of being embarrassed: such as
a
: confusion or disturbance of mind
couldn't hide her embarrassment
b
: difficulty arising from the want of money to pay debts
c
: difficulty in functioning as a result of disease
cardiac embarrassment
Examples of embarrassment in a Sentence
She couldn't hide her embarrassment.
The scandal was a major embarrassment for the government.
He's an embarrassment to his family.
Recent Examples on the Web
Though tourists and tourist sites are rarely touched by cartel violence in Mexico, critics say the graves are an embarrassment for state and city administrators.
—
Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
The latest embarrassment came in Thursday's loss to Philadelphia, when Trevor Story (awful) made another horrendous error late in the game that led to the third and final run of the inning for the Phillies.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
The unfortunate aspect of this process is that the brain doesn’t need an audience to recreate the horrific feeling of embarrassment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
In light of her public embarrassment, her author father, Greg, accepts a position as a visiting lecturer on campus to be close to his daughter in her time of need.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for embarrassment
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Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
The latest embarrassment came in Thursday's loss to Philadelphia, when Trevor Story (awful) made another horrendous error late in the game that led to the third and final run of the inning for the Phillies.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
The unfortunate aspect of this process is that the brain doesn’t need an audience to recreate the horrific feeling of embarrassment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
In light of her public embarrassment, her author father, Greg, accepts a position as a visiting lecturer on campus to be close to his daughter in her time of need.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for embarrassment
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassment. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
embarrassment
noun
em·bar·rass·ment
im-ˈbar-əs-mənt
1
a
: something that embarrasses
the scandal was a terrible embarrassment
b
: an overly large quantity from which to select
—used especially in the phrase embarrassment of riches
2
: the state of being embarrassed
blushed with embarrassment
Medical Definition
embarrassment
noun
em·bar·rass·ment
im-ˈbar-ə-smənt
: difficulty in functioning as a result of disease
cardiac embarrassment
respiratory embarrassment
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