1
as in confuses
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 impedes
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 complicates
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
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 embarrasses
Their team might need the firmer assessment that challenges pride and even embarrasses, then the next year's group might need a lighter touch.
—
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Maia and her boyfriend Dylan (Josh Hustcherson) are on the outs after Maia completely embarrasses herself at Dylan’s game night with his co-workers.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2025
There, the father of the bride gets too drunk and embarrasses himself.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Dec. 2025
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Maia and her boyfriend Dylan (Josh Hustcherson) are on the outs after Maia completely embarrasses herself at Dylan’s game night with his co-workers.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2025
There, the father of the bride gets too drunk and embarrasses himself.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrasses
Verb
-
Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Go somewhere that confuses your algorithm.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
-
An actress in 1962 Cuban, as its missiles crisis rages, confuses her role in a film and real life.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Let go of whatever impedes your growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The weir prohibits the flow of saltwater into the lagoon and impedes the draining of sediment from the lagoon into the ocean.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Climate change complicates forecasting All this is playing out against the backdrop of climate change, which is shortening winters and turning up the heat.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That last part complicates things, because if the question is greatest Boston athletes then Clemens becomes tougher to include considering his late-career heel turn.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing flusters her except dogs barking, and as the story unfolds the reason is easily surmised.—
Mary Damiano,
Miami Herald,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The instruments used to make antimatter create interference that hinders its study.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Traveling back across the ocean also hinders preparation for the following week.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His approach is to look at what bothers that person the most.—
Kaicey Baylor,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The political rhetoric aimed at ridiculing Canada bothers Johnson.—
Jeanne Bonner,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The blackout means that those without access to Starlink or other ways to communicate have been cut off from communicating with the outside world, which also hampers the ability of Iranians to mobilize against the ruling regime.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Embarrasses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrasses. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
