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

Related Words

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