embarrass

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb embarrass contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of embarrass are abash, discomfit, disconcert, and rattle. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

When might abash be a better fit than embarrass?

The synonyms abash and embarrass are sometimes interchangeable, but abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

In what contexts can discomfit take the place of embarrass?

The meanings of discomfit and embarrass largely overlap; however, discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When would disconcert be a good substitute for embarrass?

While in some cases nearly identical to embarrass, disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

Where would rattle be a reasonable alternative to embarrass?

The words rattle and embarrass can be used in similar contexts, but rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

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 embarrass But Thursday’s hearing struck me as a good opportunity to watch one of the signature events in Trump’s Washington—a government lawyer embarrassing himself in defense of an almost laughably indefensible case. Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025 Mariah Carey just pulled a classic mom move by embarrassing her teenage son in front of his friends. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2025 The leaking was intended to embarrass Bork, whose nomination was ultimately rejected by the U.S. Senate albeit for reasons unrelated to his rental list. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2025 Many of them had to fail, repeat, embarrass themselves, risk everything, and learn. Ars Technica, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for embarrass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrass
Verb
  • Hippler said in the new order bringing more attention to it in opening statements and through expert testimony would add more time to the already lengthy trial and probably confuse the jury.
    Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Snakeheads are often confused with a native species—the bowfin—but anglers can tell them apart by looking at the anal fin, which is much longer on a snakehead.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Maintaining a vigorous, healthy lawn is a good way to impede weed establishment and problematic perennials like dandelions.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Williams’ Carlos Sainz initially qualified 12th but was handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding Hamilton, causing a shakeup in the order of those who were knocked out in Q2.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the picture for other automakers is complicated, to say the least.
    Justin Worland, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The United States’s relationship with Pakistan and India is complicated, though Pakistan has been more favored in the past.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Zmuda flustered Kaufman, throwing him off his rhythm, leading to more awkward silence and melancholy.
    Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • As for defense, Mission Hills flustered the hosts, forcing 17 turnovers.
    Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Leaders worldwide are promoting minimal AI regulation to drive innovation and avoid hindering growth.
    Art Gilliland, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Being smart with money now, as well as brand building, is crucial to making sure your on-the-field duties are not hindered.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Pritzker’s roughly 10-minute interview followed a week when Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs roiled stock markets and left American investors, businesses and the nation’s trading partners perplexed about what the president is attempting to achieve.
    Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Curious onlookers can expect to catch a glimpse of the full moon's peak at 8:22 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on April 12, 2025, yet the lack of a rosy hue may leave many people perplexed.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 19 Apr. 2025
  • So much so that Gillaspie didn’t bother to even grab a towel last summer when a pitching coach yelled into the visiting showers to alert him that Triple-A El Paso manager Pete Zamora needed to see him.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The dissatisfaction simmered for years, hampering efforts to combine the automakers fully.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Embarrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrass. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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