embarrass

[em-bar-uhs]

verb (used with object)

1. to cause confusion and shame to; make uncomfortably self-conscious; disconcert; abash.

   His bad table manners embarrassed her.

   Synonyms: chagrin, discomfit, discompose

2. to make difficult or intricate, as a question or problem; complicate.

3. to put obstacles or difficulties in the way of; impede.

   The motion was advanced in order to embarrass the progress of the bill.

   Synonyms: hinder, hamper

4. to beset with financial difficulties; burden with debt.

   The decline in sales embarrassed the company.

verb (used without object)

1. to become disconcerted, abashed, or confused.

embarrass

/ ɪmˈbærəs /

verb

1. (also intr) to feel or cause to feel confusion or self-consciousness; disconcert; fluster

2. (usually passive) to involve in financial difficulties

3. archaic,  to make difficult; complicate

4. archaic,  to impede; obstruct; hamper

Other Word Forms

• embarrassedly adverb
• embarrassingly adverb
• preembarrass verb (used with object)
• unembarrassed adjective
• embarrassed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of embarrass¹

1665–75; < French embarrasser < Spanish embarazar < Portuguese embaraçar, equivalent to em- em- ¹ + -baraçar, verbal derivative of baraço, baraça cord, strap, noose (of obscure origin)

Word History and Origins

Origin of embarrass¹

C17: (in the sense: to impede): via French and Spanish from Italian imbarrazzare, from imbarrare to confine within bars; see _en- ¹ , _bar ¹

Synonym Study

See confuse.

Example Sentences

Mr Levine said there were many people whose messages with Epstein after his convictions will leave them embarrassed, though that does not suggest they participated in any of his crimes.

Read more on BBC

Don’t be embarrassed by talk of gratitude this weekend, or think it rote or corny.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Guardiola said he felt "embarrassed and ashamed" after his on-pitch confrontation with a cameraman in the aftermath of the controversial defeat at Newcastle.

Read more on Barron's

“He was like, ‘It’d be embarrassing if you don’t get it because she seriously reflects a part of you and I really feel like you could take it there,’ ” she said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Dharmendra always said he was "embarrassed" by talk of his good looks and attributed it to "nature, my parents and my genes".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• agitate 
• annoy 
• bewilder 
• bother 
• confuse 
• disconcert 
• distract 
• disturb 
• dumbfound 
• faze 
• fluster 
• irk 
• mortify 
• perplex 
• perturb 
• plague 
• puzzle 
• rattle 
• shame 
• stun