Definitions

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.

Midfielder Harvey Elliott's wasted loan at Aston Villa is "embarrassing for everyone involved", says manager Unai Emery.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

I’m sure it’s embarrassing, but I don’t know if fans think so.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

The model is “so simple it’s almost embarrassing we didn’t think of it ourselves,” said Hal Higdon, the chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College System, rootEd’s primary partner in Missouri.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

Davies recalls Eriksson was always able to "brush aside" many embarrassing stories and "laugh with everybody else" about them.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

And then one of the schools made him repeat fifth grade, which was embarrassing because he didn’t need to repeat, but they insisted he hadn’t completed enough days to advance to sixth grade.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

Vocabulary lists containing embarrassing

Awkward Moments

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Schooled

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