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
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
That said, sometimes embarrassment leads to innovation within a system.
—
Mike Kaye
september 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
The 1994 team staved off any embarrassment.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In a Reddit post, u/Elnathi shared the hilarious but relatable moment of public embarrassment to the tune of 45,000 upvotes.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The limited footage shown of an unfortunate Wings TV special from 1973 is more than enough to elicit second-hand embarrassment for all involved.
—Caleb Hammond, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassment
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Mike Kaye
september 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
The 1994 team staved off any embarrassment.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In a Reddit post, u/Elnathi shared the hilarious but relatable moment of public embarrassment to the tune of 45,000 upvotes.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The limited footage shown of an unfortunate Wings TV special from 1973 is more than enough to elicit second-hand embarrassment for all involved.
—Caleb Hammond, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassment
Cite this Entry
“Embarrassment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrassment. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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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