embarrassing
adjective
em·bar·rass·ing
im-ˈber-ə-siŋ 
-ˈba-rə-
: causing a feeling of self-conscious confusion and distress : causing embarrassment
an embarrassing error
The official was ever so polite, and ever so sorry, but the rule was strict, and he could not let us in. It was very embarrassing, for many eyes were on us.—
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Synonyms
Examples of embarrassing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the season one finale of the comedy, which aired on Aug. 12, 2022, Molly declared plans to give away every penny of her $120 billion divorce settlement from tech tycoon John Novak (Adam Scott) after a publicly embarrassing business blunder.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
In that light, the draconian sentence is punishment not only for a crime but also for shining a spotlight on decades of embarrassing failures, ones that were made clear to the entire country the day that Özer disappeared.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
The Duke Energy settlement was a public, embarrassing moment.
—Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
Watching prominent figures reflect on their most embarrassing gaffes and humbling mistakes will inspire you to overcome your own minor (or major) failures.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
But one such possibility, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., openly considered a professional football player as his vice presidential running mate before settling on a Silicon Valley attorney, and numerous members of the Kennedy family debased this frequently embarrassing relative.
—Jay Ambrose, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
The litigation led to extensive depositions and subpoenas that were poised to produce potentially embarrassing revelations if the case had proceeded to trial.
—Patrick Svitek and Isaac Arnsdorf The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 28 Mar. 2024
The loss was painfully embarrassing for a politician unused to defeat.
—Michael H. Brown, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Distilled to its purest essence, rock music, my genre of choice, is somewhat embarrassing.
—Nate Rogers, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
In that light, the draconian sentence is punishment not only for a crime but also for shining a spotlight on decades of embarrassing failures, ones that were made clear to the entire country the day that Özer disappeared.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
The Duke Energy settlement was a public, embarrassing moment.
—Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
Watching prominent figures reflect on their most embarrassing gaffes and humbling mistakes will inspire you to overcome your own minor (or major) failures.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
But one such possibility, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., openly considered a professional football player as his vice presidential running mate before settling on a Silicon Valley attorney, and numerous members of the Kennedy family debased this frequently embarrassing relative.
—Jay Ambrose, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
The litigation led to extensive depositions and subpoenas that were poised to produce potentially embarrassing revelations if the case had proceeded to trial.
—Patrick Svitek and Isaac Arnsdorf The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 28 Mar. 2024
The loss was painfully embarrassing for a politician unused to defeat.
—Michael H. Brown, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Distilled to its purest essence, rock music, my genre of choice, is somewhat embarrassing.
—Nate Rogers, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'embarrassing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1778, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near embarrassing
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassing. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on embarrassing
Nglish: Translation of embarrassing for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of embarrassing for Arabic Speakers
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