1
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
the modest young soldiers were embarrassed by the public praise for their heroism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
a lot of this paperwork is unnecessary and just embarrasses the organization
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to complicate
to make complex or difficult
claims that the new government regulations will needlessly embarrass the operations of small businesses in the state
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of embarrass
Republicans looking to impress Trump by scoring points off the progressive Chicago mayor are certain to try to embarrass Johnson.
—
Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
And the All-Star game embarrassed everyone who has ever picked up a basketball.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025
Callers are encouraged to share details that range from embarrassing to criminal.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2025
At the instructions of Donald Trump, the United States government embarrassed all Americans yesterday at the United Nations by siding with Russia on the third anniversary of the Kremlin’s merciless invasion of Ukraine, the worst fighting in Europe since World War II ended in 1945.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrass
Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
And the All-Star game embarrassed everyone who has ever picked up a basketball.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025
Callers are encouraged to share details that range from embarrassing to criminal.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2025
At the instructions of Donald Trump, the United States government embarrassed all Americans yesterday at the United Nations by siding with Russia on the third anniversary of the Kremlin’s merciless invasion of Ukraine, the worst fighting in Europe since World War II ended in 1945.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrass
Verb
-
Boat-Friendly Boca Grande To live in Boca Grande (not to be confused with Boca Raton, the resort on Florida’s east coast) is to be on the water.—
Mary Forgione,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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When some confused the artist organization’s acronym, RCAF, with the Royal Canadian Air Force, the name was humorously changed to the Royal Chicano Air Force.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacramento Bee,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Records showed that Worthy had been arrested Friday by deputies and held in the county jail on a charge of assault on a family or household member in which their breath was impeded, or choking in common terms.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
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Kansas City Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy was arrested Friday and booked into a central Texas jail on suspicion of assault of a family member by impeding breathing/circulation, according to Williamson County, Texas jail records.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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So, the situation is likely complicated, and your daughter could probably use someone to process this with.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
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The transition from surviving to learning how to live is complicated, but Ruth didn’t feel sorry for me.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Much like a good parent is keenly aware of a young child’s mental state, when they might be flustered, and what would soothe them, having some recognition of when a friend or partner is stressed out can make tending to them more intuitive and connective.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
28 Feb. 2025
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In East Hampton, a 1964 house with a pair of steeply angled roofs displayed a severe flair that must have flustered the neighbors in nearby cottages.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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His zone swing percentage is higher than average but is going to have to be at Freddie Freeman levels to hinder teams in effectively pitching around him.—
Michael Salfino,
The Athletic,
20 Mar. 2025
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However, some connections hinder, rather than help, professional progress.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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On the flip side, some have found peoples' infatuation with the ferocious-looking predator perplexing.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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Many fans of the show are perplexed by this particular star with his cutthroat singing chops.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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By the end of the day, my T-zone had turned a little bit oily, but honestly, not enough to bother me.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2025
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The First Amendment’s free speech protection is under siege by the Trump administration and that should bother every American, including Republicans.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Over recent weeks, CISA employees, all speaking on the condition of anonymity, had told Forbes morale was low and concerns were high that important work was being hampered by the cuts.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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Both Iran and North Korea could then use Russian nuclear and missile technology to develop advanced weapons that would hamper the U.S. military’s response options in East Asia and the Middle East—and even threaten the American homeland.—
Christopher S. Chivvis,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Embarrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrass. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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