embarrassment

noun

em·​bar·​rass·​ment im-ˈber-əs-mənt 

-ˈba-rəs-

1

a

: something that embarrasses

the scandal was a major embarrassment

b

: an excessive quantity from which to select

—used especially in the phrase embarrassment of riches

2

: the state of being embarrassed: such as

a

: confusion or disturbance of mind

couldn't hide her embarrassment

b

: difficulty arising from the want of money to pay debts

c

: difficulty in functioning as a result of disease

cardiac embarrassment

Synonyms

• abashment
• confusion
• discomfiture
• disconcertment
• fluster
• mortification

Examples of embarrassment in a Sentence

She couldn't hide her embarrassment.

The scandal was a major embarrassment for the government.

He's an embarrassment to his family.

Recent Examples on the Web

One day, a player is going to get caught out and look pretty silly, but the embarrassment/flex risk/reward assessment is clearly judged worthwhile enough to keep doing it. —Nick Miller, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025

We were just expected to be OK with it, to shove down our discomfort, our embarrassment, our fear, because standing up for ourselves would mean being labeled as intolerant or hateful or bigoted. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025

Similarly, any embarrassment is theirs to negotiate, too. —R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2025

According to Verywell Mind, laughter is a common coping mechanism that helps individuals deal with stress, embarrassment and unexpected events. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing embarrassment

• embarrassment of riches

Kids Definition

embarrassment

noun

em·​bar·​rass·​ment im-ˈbar-əs-mənt 

1

a

: something that embarrasses

the scandal was a terrible embarrassment

b

: an overly large quantity from which to select

—used especially in the phrase embarrassment of riches

2

: the state of being embarrassed

blushed with embarrassment

Medical Definition

embarrassment

noun

em·​bar·​rass·​ment im-ˈbar-ə-smənt 

: difficulty in functioning as a result of disease

cardiac embarrassment

respiratory embarrassment