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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Failure would be deeply embarrassing and, more pressingly, dangerous for the planet. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024 The final piece of the puzzle snaps into place as the gang attends a party thrown by Mac’s friend and former producer Roya (Haven Burton), who happens to own the monkey that gave Mac that embarrassing small-mouth hickey. Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024 One of the more embarrassing was the collapse of FTX in late 2022 after Insight invested around $40 million in the crypto exchange, including a C funding round. Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2024 What to Do Before an Estate Sale Familiarize Yourself with the Rules Sometimes, a little research ahead of time can save you from an embarrassing—and likely unintentional—etiquette faux pas. Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for embarrassing 

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 29 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on embarrassing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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