embarrassment

[em-bar-uhs-muhnt]

noun

1. the state of being embarrassed; disconcertment; abashment.

   Synonyms: discomposure

2. an act or instance of embarrassing.

3. something that embarrasses.

4. an overwhelmingly excessive amount; overabundance.

   an embarrassment of riches.

5. the state of being in financial difficulties.

6. Medicine/Medical.,  impairment of functioning associated with disease.

   respiratory embarrassment.

Other Word Forms

• preembarrassment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of embarrassment¹

From the French word embarrassement, dating back to 1670–80. See embarrass, -ment

Synonym Study

See shame.

Example Sentences

Had the King made his decision a few days earlier or a few days later, the chancellor's embarrassment might have been building into a bigger scandal.

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But according to royal sources, a delay in Andrew moving until the new year would avoid the embarrassment of him being in Sandringham at Christmas - where the Royal Family traditionally gathers for the festive season.

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“It’s an embarrassment in some ways that the field has not been able to unify behind a number,” he says.

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The Dodgers set some sort of record for embarrassment with three wild pitches in the decisive seventh.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For him, periods are a matter of health, not embarrassment and while the idea of dads discussing menstruation still divides opinion, John says it's important to "be there and approachable for your children".

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Related Words

• chagrin 
• confusion 
• difficulty 
• dilemma 
• mess 
• mistake 
• unease