embarrass

[em-bar-uhs] / ɛmˈbær əs /

VERB

cause mental discomfort

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agitate annoy bewilder bother confuse disconcert distract disturb dumbfound faze fluster irk mortify perplex perturb plague puzzle rattle shame stun upset

STRONG

abash bug chagrin discombobulate discomfit discompose discountenance distress nonplus tease throw

WEAK

catch one short give a bad time give a hard time hang up let down make a monkey of put in a hole put in a spot put on the spot put out of countenance show up throw into a tizzy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid appease calm clarify clear up comfort delight enlighten explain help make happy order organize please quiet soothe

WEAK

gladden

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Also, don’t embarrass your friend or shame her daughter by mentioning it to your friend, even in passing.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Of course, characters will be put into embarrassing positions, or embarrass themselves, embarrassment being the root of all comedy, or near enough.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

They were blown away by Ireland at Twickenham as the men in green ran in five tries to embarrass Steve Borthwick's side 42-21.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

The aim is to help the other person in a way that doesn’t shame or embarrass them, which reporting to HR or telling a manager would surely do.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

"Victor!" she calls out, and then in a quieter voice she cues the men as if she does not want them to embarrass themselves by not knowing who this important personage is.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Vocabulary lists containing embarrass

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List 4

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