embarrassment

[em-bar-uhs-muhnt] / ɛmˈbær əs mənt /

NOUN

humiliation, shame

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chagrin confusion difficulty dilemma mess mistake unease

STRONG

awkwardness bashfulness bind clumsiness complexity destitution discomfiture discomposure disconcertion distress fix hitch indebtedness indiscretion inhibition mortification pickle pinch plight poverty predicament puzzle quandary scrape self-consciousness shyness snag stew strait tangle timidity uneasiness

WEAK

awkward situation boo-boo egg on face faux pas hot seat hot water impecuniosity

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm order organization pleasure solution

STRONG

advantage benefit blessing boldness boon convenience ease good fortune happiness peace

WEAK

comfort confidence

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.

"The defeat is a major embarrassment for Nigel Farage."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

He takes the defiance as an insult and the public insult as an embarrassment.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

It was the biggest embarrassment of all time that caused the uproar that it did.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

There’s a unique kind of embarrassment in seeing exactly how much you’ve “invested” in late-night takeout or the subscriptions you haven’t opened since 2024.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

The kids around them were too fixated on the store window to even see Brigit, so Ella's embarrassment subsided.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Vocabulary lists containing embarrassment

Emotions on Display

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Much Ado: Synonyms for "Many"

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"One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia, List 1

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