embarrassing

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.

It can be embarrassing, he says, when he loses his train of thought or when someone reminds him he’s already told a story.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Lord Mandelson's job had already been announced - would it have been too embarrassing to cancel it?

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

The trial revealed some embarrassing internal communications, including emails from a Live Nation executive who called customers “so stupid” and said the company was “robbing them blind, baby.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

We dislike insecure bellicosity not just because it’s embarrassing, but because it is ineffective.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

Only Emily and Mabel refrained from embarrassing her.

From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord

Vocabulary lists containing embarrassing

Awkward Moments

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Schooled

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Neighborhood Odes

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!