as in uncomfortable
causing embarrassment
an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in confusing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impeding
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 complicating
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 embarrassing
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
There’s outrage on Capitol Hill from Democrats, and some Republicans, who say the Signal chat was an embarrassing and reckless sharing of classified information.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2025
How the Brazil side of 1982 became one of the most beloved in history
On Tuesday, an already underwhelming 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign reached its nadir as the Seleção suffered an embarrassing 4-1 defeat away to great rival Argentina.
—Matias Grez, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Instead, the Knicks suffered one of their most embarrassing losses of the season, trailing by as many as 28, then making a furious third-quarter run to cut the deficit to as little as eight before the Spurs (29-39) ran away with a 120-105 victory at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Adjective
His presence was surely missed in the embarrassing 6-2 loss in Anaheim in which they B’s were thoroughly outplayed from start to finish.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
There’s outrage on Capitol Hill from Democrats, and some Republicans, who say the Signal chat was an embarrassing and reckless sharing of classified information.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2025
How the Brazil side of 1982 became one of the most beloved in history
On Tuesday, an already underwhelming 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign reached its nadir as the Seleção suffered an embarrassing 4-1 defeat away to great rival Argentina.
—Matias Grez, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Instead, the Knicks suffered one of their most embarrassing losses of the season, trailing by as many as 28, then making a furious third-quarter run to cut the deficit to as little as eight before the Spurs (29-39) ran away with a 120-105 victory at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrassing
Adjective
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After an Emanuel Sharp 3 made Duke officially uncomfortable (67-64, 33 seconds left), Tugler was one of three Houston players to tip a regrettable inbounds pass from James, setting off a frenzied sequence.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
-
These disagreements kept things interesting, if sometimes uncomfortable, in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While inside, the affidavit said, Roe shoved an officer and wrapped his arm around the officer, impeding him from defending police from the rioters.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Of those, 608 have been charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Sisterhood in sports can come with awkward moments, though.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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In fact, the timing of the 11th annual event in Santa Monica made for some awkward — even, some would say, problematic — optics and messaging for these celebrities.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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As horrible, unpleasant, miserable this work was, people had the most wonderful spirit.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Euphemisms are designed to obfuscate unpleasant truths.—
Zachariah Mampilly,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Generations of design successors have insisted that pie charts are difficult to read and even amount to optical informatic illusions, but we are still stuck with them.—
Mara Mills,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
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There are very big match-ups being played week in and week out in what is one of the most difficult leagues to play in on the planet, this means the big contenders will drop points more often than in some other leagues.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Russia was becoming more closed, and this was disconcerting for a generation that had grown up in a modernized and relatively open society.—
Andrei Kolesnikov,
Foreign Affairs,
15 Oct. 2024
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Calculations on how many homeowners are at risk and how many are covered vary, but all are disconcerting.—
Kate Gibson,
CBS News,
4 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
According to officers, Kerley was obstructing their investigation and was told to step away.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
4 Jan. 2025
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She was additionally charged with four counts of resisting or obstructing a police officer.—
Andrea May Sahouri,
Detroit Free Press,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.—
Steven Levy,
Wired News,
28 Mar. 2025
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Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrassing. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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