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

Watch for the Jaguars to bounce back after an embarrassing loss to Houston in which they were outscored 18-0 in the fourth quarter.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In hindsight, he acknowledged, some passages were “embarrassing” and he would have worded them differently.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

After ending their embarrassing Test losing streak at 18 in Japan last summer, 12 is the magic number for Wales when they host the Brave Blossoms in Cardiff.

Read more on BBC

The Jaguars are coming off an embarrassing loss and should respond at home.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The results we announced today are embarrassing for me; for our firm,” began John Mack.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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