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
The press had assembled to watch Earhart soar, and instead witnessed an embarrassment.
—
Laurie Gwen Shapiro, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
King, whose chapter represents Treasury employees in the D.C. area, accused the national union of just hoping the internal problem goes away, and instead the issue is creating an embarrassment.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 29 May 2025
The spice is real, as is the fear of embarrassment.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 27 May 2025
The party faced public embarrassment over the abrupt resignation of its chairman, Jeff DeWit and struggles with money problems.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrassment
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Laurie Gwen Shapiro, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
King, whose chapter represents Treasury employees in the D.C. area, accused the national union of just hoping the internal problem goes away, and instead the issue is creating an embarrassment.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 29 May 2025
The spice is real, as is the fear of embarrassment.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 27 May 2025
The party faced public embarrassment over the abrupt resignation of its chairman, Jeff DeWit and struggles with money problems.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 May 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 5 Jun. 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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