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.

For the first time in my life, I shrank with embarrassment.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

At the same time, I did have secondhand embarrassment watching DeChambeau strut around Augusta National in LIV-issue Crushers gear that made him look like the fry guy at a discount burger chain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

X, red with embarrassment, said it was over and Ernie released him.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

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

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

I was torn between hugging Gregor’s jacket and wanting to disappear forever from embarrassment.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

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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