embarrass

[ em-bar-uhs ]

/ ɛmˈbær əs /

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See synonyms for: embarrass / embarrassed / embarrassing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to cause confusion and shame to; make uncomfortably self-conscious; disconcert; abash: His bad table manners embarrassed her.

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

to put obstacles or difficulties in the way of; impede: The motion was advanced in order to embarrass the progress of the bill.

to beset with financial difficulties; burden with debt: The decline in sales embarrassed the company.

verb (used without object)

to become disconcerted, abashed, or confused.

OTHER WORDS FOR embarrass

1 discompose, discomfit, chagrin.

3 hamper, hinder.

See synonyms for embarrass on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of embarrass

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)

synonym study for embarrass

1. See confuse.

OTHER WORDS FROM embarrass

em·bar·rassed·ly

[em-bar-uhst-lee, -uh-sid-lee], /ɛmˈbær əst li, -ə sɪd li/, adverbem·bar·rass·ing·ly, adverbpre·em·bar·rass, verb (used with object)un·em·bar·rassed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use embarrass in a sentence

Usually, it takes at least one full day in Cancun to do something embarrassing you’ll never live down.
One night in Cancun: Ted Cruz’s disastrous decision to go on vacation during Texas storm crisis|Ashley Parker|February 19, 2021|Washington Post
Convinced King was “the world’s most notorious liar,” the FBI director sought information that would embarrass King and induce him to step aside as leader of the civil rights movement.
The FBI's Surveillance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Was Relentless. But Its Findings Paint a Fuller Picture for Historians|Benjamin Hedin|January 18, 2021|Time
Several Democrats, embarrassed by the entire process, joined with Republicans to pass a resolution denying that Congress, the courts or any tribunal could reverse the 1876 election results.
Ted Cruz’s proposed election commission can only hurt the country|Stuart MacKay|January 6, 2021|Washington Post
Instead, we are home, missing the good and the frustrating and weird parts of our families and creating new traditions with our children — ones that will undoubtedly later embarrass them.
At the end of an isolating year, even the embarrassing, frustrating, weird parts of family gatherings feel missed|Theresa Vargas|December 26, 2020|Washington Post

We’ll continue to talk openly and learn more about female physiology and not treat it as something to be embarrassed by or ignored.
These Will Be the Biggest Health Trends of 2021|Martin Fritz Huber|December 25, 2020|Outside Online
I actually downloaded the app last summer and was embarrassed because none of my friends seemed to use it.
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I was so embarrassed my face reddened but Lee kept it right up.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But outsiders, generally, are embarrassed or appalled, and so are a growing number of locals.
Dutch Try to Save Santa’s Slave|Nadette De Visser|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I am not remotely embarrassed to relate he weighed just 9lb.
Confessions of a Turkey Killer|Tom Sykes|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In particular, a video of an apparently inebriated Morgan has embarrassed supporters of the referendum.
Ganja Vs. Geezers in the Sunshine State|Ben Jacobs|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Edna was a trifle embarrassed at being thus signaled out for the imperious little woman's favor.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
She was even meditating a retreat, inexplicably embarrassed, when an inner door opened and Lady Victoria entered.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Frederick, embarrassed, thought his sister was carrying the jest too far.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Embarrassed and ashamed, she was obliged to confess that her knowledge of the language was confined to one quotation.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
It failed to secure the capital it sought and was seriously embarrassed throughout its three years' existence.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller

British Dictionary definitions for embarrass

embarrass

/ (ɪmˈbærəs) /

verb (mainly tr)

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

(usually passive) to involve in financial difficulties

archaic to make difficult; complicate

archaic to impede; obstruct; hamper

Derived forms of embarrass

embarrassed, adjectiveembarrassedly, adverb

Word Origin for embarrass

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

embarrass

OTHER WORDS FOR embarrass

Origin of embarrass

synonym study for embarrass

OTHER WORDS FROM embarrass

Words related to embarrass

How to use embarrass in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for embarrass

Derived forms of embarrass

Word Origin for embarrass