embarrassing

[im-ber-uhs-ing, em-] / ɪmˈbɛr əs ɪŋ, ɛm- /

ADJECTIVE

humiliating, shaming

Synonyms

STRONGEST

awkward confusing difficult disconcerting distressing disturbing exasperating inconvenient perplexing puzzling shameful ticklish tricky troublesome troubling uncomfortable unseemly upsetting worrisome

STRONG

bewildering compromising discomfiting discommoding distracting mortifying rattling

WEAK

delicate disagreeable discommodious equivocal impossible incommodious inopportune sensitive sticky touchy uneasy unpropitious

Antonyms

STRONGEST

convenient easy helpful straightforward uncomplicated

WEAK

comfortable unshameful

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.

Former US President Joe Biden has sued the federal government to block the release of interviews with his memoir's ghostwriter, which he has described as "private information" but could contain embarrassing details about his memory.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

But for many observers, the embarrassing details of their friendship raise larger questions that have less to do with Chopra than with the nature of the New Age wellness industry as a whole.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

During his questioning on May 4, old journals he kept from years ago took center stage, with Musk's lawyer highlighting some of the most embarrassing excerpts.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

The U.A.E. was displeased with the Israeli announcement and saw it as embarrassing, according to a person close to Emirati officials.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

“Honestly, it is kind of embarrassing when people find out about my dad. That’s why I don’t talk about it very often.”

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Vocabulary lists containing embarrassing

Awkward Moments

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Schooled

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