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

Therefore Italy will likely be dropping into the play-offs, which have been a source of recent heartbreak and embarrassment.

Read more on BBC

Leafy speaks for all of the author’s blundering characters when, at one low ebb, he sums himself up as “an aristocrat of pain and frustration, a prince of anguish and embarrassment.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It took this group a while to get to the source of embarrassment, but eventually they did.

Read more on Literature

But the No. 15 Bruins finally asserted themselves with a big run sparked by some impressive offense of their own, pulling away for an 83-62 victory to avoid embarrassment on their home court.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Unlike initiatives that might go wrong and cause embarrassment, climate change was a cause to which money could be safely devoted to no effect without fear of criticism.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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