embarrassment
Americannoun
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the state of being embarrassed; disconcertment; abashment.
- Synonyms:
- discomposure
-
an act or instance of embarrassing.
-
something that embarrasses.
-
an overwhelmingly excessive amount; overabundance.
an embarrassment of riches.
-
the state of being in financial difficulties.
-
Medicine/Medical. impairment of functioning associated with disease.
respiratory embarrassment.
noun
-
the state of being embarrassed
-
something that embarrasses
-
a financial predicament
-
an excessive amount; superfluity
Related Words
See shame.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of embarrassment
From the French word embarrassement, dating back to 1670–80. See embarrass, -ment
Explanation
When you feel embarrassment, you are self-conscious or ashamed. Embarrassment might keep you from wearing your Statue of Liberty Halloween costume in public. Something that makes you blush — like when ten people rush up to tell you how great your tuba solo was or realizing that you left the house in your pajama bottoms — causes you embarrassment. The person or thing that makes you feel awkward and ashamed can also be described as an embarrassment. To avoid embarrassment, remember to double the r's and s's when you spell embarrassment.
Vocabulary lists containing embarrassment
Emotions on Display
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Much Ado: Synonyms for "Many"
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"One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia, List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"However, the behaviour of some people in the aftermath of yesterday's match was, quite frankly, an embarrassment," it added in a statement.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
Remember, he literally saved the Lakers from epic embarrassment with a Game 6 clinching gem in the first round against the Houston Rockets.
From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026
Plenty of people in the 1920s thought radio programming was a noisy, idiotic embarrassment.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026
Tlaib loosened the room immediately, teasing her teenage niece, calling her “the future” while the girl shrank in embarrassment.
From Slate • Apr. 29, 2026
But I remember the way she didn’t want to look at me, the embarrassment radiating from her and leaking into my skin, too.
From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
