embarrassing

adjective

em·​bar·​rass·​ing im-ˈber-ə-siŋ How to pronounce embarrassing (audio)
-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
embarrassingly adverb
an embarrassingly messy house

Examples of embarrassing in a Sentence

an embarrassing failure of memory inauspiciously marked my first appearance as an actor
Recent Examples on the Web Most embarrassing, the video ends with me sharing an inspirational story about my then-wife… from whom I got divorced later that year. Shane Snow, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 Paul then whipped out his iPad to take a photo of my tongue and enlarged it to point out a few key areas—not at all embarrassing. Kelli Acciardo, Allure, 20 Sep. 2024 What to watch: Hezbollah may feel compelled to respond to this embarrassing blow, raising the risk of further escalation. Barak Ravid, Axios, 17 Sep. 2024 There have also been embarrassing disclosures and blunders that might undo the deal. Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for embarrassing 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of embarrassing was in 1778

Dictionary Entries Near embarrassing

Cite this Entry

“Embarrassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassing. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on embarrassing

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