embarrassing

[im-ber-uhs-ing, em-] / ɪmˈbɛr əs ɪŋ, ɛm- /

ADJECTIVE

humiliating, shaming

Synonyms

STRONGEST

awkward confusing difficult disconcerting distressing disturbing exasperating inconvenient perplexing puzzling shameful ticklish tricky troublesome troubling uncomfortable unseemly upsetting worrisome

STRONG

bewildering compromising discomfiting discommoding distracting mortifying rattling

WEAK

delicate disagreeable discommodious equivocal impossible incommodious inopportune sensitive sticky touchy uneasy unpropitious

Antonyms

STRONGEST

convenient easy helpful straightforward uncomplicated

WEAK

comfortable unshameful

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.

The postgame ugliness in the streets has been embarrassing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026

The antithesis of the embarrassing episode Tuesday night came less than two months ago when he robbed the Seattle Mariners of three home runs in one game.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Heteropessimism exists alongside heterosexuality not because being straight is terrible or embarrassing or out of fashion, but because it is, first and foremost, an institution — one that in many places remains dangerous to spurn.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026

"This Safa travel & visa debacle is embarrassing & grossly unfair towards the players & coaching staff," McKenzie also wrote on X.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

Even though it wasn’t embarrassing, it made her different.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

Vocabulary lists containing embarrassing

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