embarrass

1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb embarrass contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of embarrass are abash, discomfit, disconcert, and rattle. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

When might abash be a better fit than embarrass?

The synonyms abash and embarrass are sometimes interchangeable, but abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

In what contexts can discomfit take the place of embarrass?

The meanings of discomfit and embarrass largely overlap; however, discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When would disconcert be a good substitute for embarrass?

While in some cases nearly identical to embarrass, disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

Where would rattle be a reasonable alternative to embarrass?

The words rattle and embarrass can be used in similar contexts, but rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of embarrass In the 1990s, The Towering Inferno might have won, but today the academy will not, of course, embarrass itself. Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025 Get okay with the idea that in the future, your past work will embarrass you. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 The Vance memes seem to contain an admission as well: that even some conservatives do not see him as essential to the current MAGA movement. Consider the fact that Democrats have long tried to embarrass Trump with memes and images of him as an infant, a Cheeto, and other forms. Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025 Other times, the film feels too coy, as if embarrassed by itself. Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for embarrass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrass
Verb
  • No one was going to confuse Colossal with the Sierra Club.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Let go of a common misconception Some parents worry that teaching their child multiple languages will set them back or confuse them.
    Julia Furlan, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Removing opportunities for public commentary could impede the department’s ability to operate in the public’s interest, according to experts who spoke with Reuters.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The charges were first dropped a few weeks into President Donald Trump’s second term in part because the case would impede Adams’ ability to do his job as mayor, including cooperating with Trump’s immigration crackdown, the Justice Department’s new acting deputy attorney general wrote.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That Rocked Myanmar and Thailand But recovery efforts—including understanding the full extent of the damage and getting aid to where it’s needed most—are complicated by Myanmar’s ongoing civil war.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Data privacy and security issues further complicate this landscape, again pointing to the need for robust safeguards to prevent misuse.
    Melody Brue, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Jimmy Kimmel flustered guest Pedro Pascal with a suggestive question about Reed Richards' stretchable body parts on Monday's episode of his late-night show.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025
  • DePaul Prep rallied, though, flustering the Crusaders with a full-court press.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Related article Recession odds are rising as Trump’s trade war escalates, Goldman Sachs says The economy faces a growing risk of a recession as tariffs could hinder growth, increase unemployment and contribute to inflation, according to Goldman Sachs.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Such rigid mentalities can lead team members to avoid challenges, fear failure and resist feedback, which ultimately hinders their organizations’ overall business growth.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And some Democrats are still perplexed by the fact that last November Donald Trump became the first Republican since maybe Abraham Lincoln to carry Fall River.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Dahl was especially perplexed by the response to Evans’s fall.
    Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Because Congress never bothered to write a law to establish it.
    Jay Cost, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, OL, LSU Will Campbell has fallen a bit due to his shorter arm length, but that likely won't bother Ben Johnson.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Aly Song | Reuters Trump's tariffs on China are already hampering Christmas sales.
    Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,Jeff Cox,Christina Wilkie,Erin Doherty,Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The daytime setting undermined their gimmicks, and Wyatt's early ankle injury hampered his performance, leading to a slow, unengaging match that failed to live up to the intriguing potential of the pairing.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Embarrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrass. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on embarrass

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!