embarrassing

adjective

em·​bar·​rass·​ing im-ˈber-ə-siŋ How to pronounce embarrassing (audio)
-ˈba-rə-
: causing a feeling of self-conscious confusion and distress : causing embarrassment
an embarrassing error
The official was ever so polite, and ever so sorry, but the rule was strict, and he could not let us in. It was very embarrassing, for many eyes were on us.Mark Twain
embarrassingly adverb
an embarrassingly messy house

Examples of embarrassing in a Sentence

an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Usually such open nepotism would be seen as slightly embarrassing, but not to this crowd. Khaleda Rahman, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 This is a funny commentary on our embarrassing listens, and the random rabbit holes and deep cuts people lean into — and the silent majority influence of podcasters. EW.com, 8 Dec. 2024 The season was spinning out of control, with the Niners losing three straight games, each in increasingly embarrassing fashion, and another loss — especially to a team with a rookie quarterback and a first-time head coach — would likely put it in an irreversible tailspin. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024 The team began a quick decline after that, a slide that bottomed out last season when the Galaxy fired longtime president Chris Klein amid an embarrassing fan boycott that saw the club’s most loyal supporters refuse to attend matches. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for embarrassing 

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of embarrassing was in 1778

Dictionary Entries Near embarrassing

Cite this Entry

“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassing. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on embarrassing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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