embarrassment
noun
em·bar·rass·ment
im-ˈber-əs-mənt 
-ˈba-rəs-
1
a
: something that embarrasses
the scandal was a major embarrassment
b
: an excessive quantity from which to select
—used especially in the phrase embarrassment of riches
2
: the state of being embarrassed: such as
a
: confusion or disturbance of mind
couldn't hide her embarrassment
b
: difficulty arising from the want of money to pay debts
c
: difficulty in functioning as a result of disease
cardiac embarrassment
Synonyms
Examples of embarrassment in a Sentence
She couldn't hide her embarrassment.
The scandal was a major embarrassment for the government.
He's an embarrassment to his family.
Recent Examples on the Web
Boeing acquired Spirit for $8.3 billion earlier this year in large part because of a major manufacturing embarrassment.
—
Melvin Backman, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
The security breach was a U.S. embarrassment, and the Air Force later disciplined 15 personnel after the service’s inspector general found numerous officials who had been aware of his suspicious behavior but failed to take necessary action.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
Columnists expressed their embarrassment and anger.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
However, not everyone was impressed with the Church’s new anime girl; more traditional commentators saw the chibi mascot as an embarrassment, too modern and silly to represent their faith.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for embarrassment 
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Melvin Backman, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
The security breach was a U.S. embarrassment, and the Air Force later disciplined 15 personnel after the service’s inspector general found numerous officials who had been aware of his suspicious behavior but failed to take necessary action.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
Columnists expressed their embarrassment and anger.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
However, not everyone was impressed with the Church’s new anime girl; more traditional commentators saw the chibi mascot as an embarrassment, too modern and silly to represent their faith.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for embarrassment
Dictionary Entries Near embarrassment
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassment. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
embarrassment
noun
em·bar·rass·ment
im-ˈbar-əs-mənt
1
a
: something that embarrasses
the scandal was a terrible embarrassment
b
: an overly large quantity from which to select
—used especially in the phrase embarrassment of riches
2
: the state of being embarrassed
blushed with embarrassment
Medical Definition
embarrassment
noun
em·bar·rass·ment
im-ˈbar-ə-smənt
: difficulty in functioning as a result of disease
cardiac embarrassment
respiratory embarrassment
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