embarrassment

[em-bar-uhs-muhnt] / ɛmˈbær əs mənt /

NOUN

humiliation, shame

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chagrin confusion difficulty dilemma mess mistake unease

STRONG

awkwardness bashfulness bind clumsiness complexity destitution discomfiture discomposure disconcertion distress fix hitch indebtedness indiscretion inhibition mortification pickle pinch plight poverty predicament puzzle quandary scrape self-consciousness shyness snag stew strait tangle timidity uneasiness

WEAK

awkward situation boo-boo egg on face faux pas hot seat hot water impecuniosity

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm order organization pleasure solution

STRONG

advantage benefit blessing boldness boon convenience ease good fortune happiness peace

WEAK

comfort confidence

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.

For the first time in my life, I shrank with embarrassment.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

The author uses judgment and trusts instincts to initiate conversations, giving priority to connection over potential embarrassment or societal ridicule.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

He takes the defiance as an insult and the public insult as an embarrassment.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Your mom probably thought she was on top of things and was avoiding getting your involved in order to spare you the burden and her the embarrassment.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

No matter what they said to try to make her feel better, she knew that what happened this evening was an embarrassment for them.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Vocabulary lists containing embarrassment

Emotions on Display

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"One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia, List 1

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