embarrassment
Americannoun
-
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
Synonym Usage
See shame.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Much Ado: Synonyms for "Many"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia, List 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
“Hillbilly Elegy” was turned into a 2020 film by Ron Howard, but it is mostly remembered as an embarrassment.
From Salon ● Jul. 29, 2026
An absolute embarrassment of riches — not that the Rams are shy about it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
This would risk becoming an embarrassment as well as a handicap.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
Living at home as a 20-something was once viewed as a failure to launch and even a source of embarrassment in a culture that places a premium on independence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026
Booth’s skill at avoiding the manhunters increased the government’s embarrassment over its failure to find him.
From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson
That’s not only because judges are fining more lawyers for their laziness, but because the publicity about these embarrassments has been inescapable.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2026
The Duchess of York has so far been the great survivor of the royal world, bouncing back from embarrassments that would have sunk many others.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2025
The moves by Khanna and Veasy put Republicans in an awkward spot, but they are likely just symbolic embarrassments.
From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2025
She reminds us that “his every step” has been “inspected and analyzed: his promise, his awkwardness, his happiness, his suffering, his betrayals and embarrassments and mistakes, his loneliness, his success.”
From New York Times ● May 5, 2023
They both had enough embarrassments; not everything needed calling out.
From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss
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.
