as in uncomfortable
causing embarrassment
an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of embarrassing
Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 7 June 2025
If White House phones were ringing with good offers, such embarrassing letters wouldn’t need to be sent.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Blumberg, who started her closing statement Tuesday afternoon, said the victims had nothing to gain by testifying against Weinstein, and were exposing themselves to death threats, online stalking and, in Haley’s case, embarrassing details about her menstrual cycle made public.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
Vancouver’s performance on Sunday was almost beyond question the most embarrassing display ever put on by an MLS team in a Concacaf club final.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Adjective
The news follows an embarrassing move by Daltrey, who announced longtime drummer Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr) would not join the tour due to his loud playing style at a Royal Albert Hall gig.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 7 June 2025
If White House phones were ringing with good offers, such embarrassing letters wouldn’t need to be sent.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Blumberg, who started her closing statement Tuesday afternoon, said the victims had nothing to gain by testifying against Weinstein, and were exposing themselves to death threats, online stalking and, in Haley’s case, embarrassing details about her menstrual cycle made public.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
Vancouver’s performance on Sunday was almost beyond question the most embarrassing display ever put on by an MLS team in a Concacaf club final.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassing
Adjective
-
Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: Most marketing ROI is based on incomplete data and backward-looking models that oversimplify human behavior.—
Gully Flowers,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
Bloating Bloating is a common and often uncomfortable feeling of stomach fullness or tightness.—
T'Keyah Bazin,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Mehta highlighted how business units stow data, impeding cross-functional collaboration.—
Christer Holloman,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The slow development of hydrogen fueling infrastructure remains a critical challenge, impeding widespread adoption.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
From awkward silences to unresolved tensions, most of us would rather scroll, text, or disappear than risk a moment of raw, honest connection.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
The feelings of being sweaty, red-faced and kind of awkward is very familiar to me.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Castillo’s short novel is a giddy character study of an unpleasant young male type.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
-
To neutralize unpleasant smells, add a few pots of aromatic herbs, like rosemary and lavender.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
No matter how sweet, the little crocodile grows bigger and more difficult to care for.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 June 2025
-
Despite her risky gambit, Metcalfe, who is studying to be an attorney at the University of Law in Manchester, England, admits that her sport has helped her through some of the most difficult times of her life.—
Andy Frye,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Verb
-
The young actor has a disconcerting awareness of the roiling potential of his changing body.—
Doreen St. Félix,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Even without Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota’s size remains disconcerting to the Nuggets, especially when Aaron Gordon is out.—
Bennett Durando,
The Denver Post,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The robot also managed to get up from a face-up position, even with a bag obstructing its view.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2025
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Stay High and Dry To avoid obstructing impressive scenery, a hog-wire railing framed in wood wraps this deck, which is set high above the water.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The withdrawn teen obsessively draws dark spiders in class and shows a disturbing fixation on news reports of school shootings.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
6 June 2025
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His disturbing legacy drew the attention of filmmaker and former HBO executive Kary Antholis, who had followed the case for decades.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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