1 embarrassment | Definition of embarrassment
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embarrassment

noun
em·​bar·​rass·​ment | \ im-ˈber-É™-smÉ™nt How to pronounce embarrassment (audio) , -ˈba-rÉ™s-\

Definition of embarrassment

1a : 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 More Example Sentences Learn More about embarrassment

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Chun gets college sports, understand football, is relentless with donors, alumni and former players and would establish an infrastructure and culture that would greatly reduce the likelihood of future embarrassment. — Jon Wilner, Orange County Register, "USC needs an athletic director: 6 potential candidates," 9 Sep. 2019 But by the 1960s the town’s steel and iron factories were closing, and people fled en masse, the city left so polluted that in ’69 the Cuyahoga River turned inferno after debris caught fire, still a source of embarrassment. — Ben Baskin, SI.com, "Welcome to Cleveland, Where the Browns Are True Contenders," 20 Aug. 2019 The condition of San Francisco’s streets has been a source of embarrassment to city leaders, and cleaning up is not cheap. — Janie Har, The Mercury News, "San Francisco curbs waste with public toilets, ‘poop patrol’," 2 Aug. 2019 The news of Jack's positive test will be of great embarrassment to Australian swimming given the leading role her teammate Mack Horton has played in protesting against China's Sun Yang in Gwangju. — James Masters, CNN, "Shayna Jack: Australian swimmer tests positive for banned substance," 27 July 2019 The tactic often works with African governments often going the extra mile to resolve the disputes and avoid the high risk of embarrassment and possibly being blamed for sabotaging prestigious tournaments. — Yomi Kazeem, Quartz Africa, "Late cash demands have become a sadly familiar tournament ritual of African soccer," 24 June 2019 The catalyst for this overt display of embarrassment is a question about her prom date, Sayeed Shahidi. — refinery29.com, "The Come-Up: Storm Reid Is Taking Hollywood By, Well, Storm," 13 June 2019 Carli Lloyd’s goal in stoppage time, which capped the U.S. team’s 13-0 win over Thailand, seemed an unnecessary bit of embarrassment for the Thais and their goalkeeper Sukanya Chor Charoenying. — Kevin Baxter, latimes.com, "World Cup notes: U.S. cancels Thursday practice after heading to Paris," 13 June 2019 But despite the cliché, nobody has ever died of embarrassment. — Donna Blass, Health.com, "I Had a Perfectly Normal EKG at My Check-Up—and the Next Day I Had a Heart Attack," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'embarrassment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of embarrassment

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for embarrassment

embarrassment

noun
How to pronounce embarrassment (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of embarrassment

: the state of feeling foolish in front of others
: something or someone that causes a person or group to look or feel foolish
: a very large number of things from which to choose

See the full definition for embarrassment in the English Language Learners Dictionary

embarrassment

noun
em·​bar·​rass·​ment | \ im-ˈber-É™s-mÉ™nt How to pronounce embarrassment (audio) \

Kids Definition of embarrassment

1 : something that causes a person or group to feel foolish The poor test scores were an embarrassment to the school.
2 : the condition of feeling foolish in front of others I couldn't hide my embarrassment over the mistake.

embarrassment

noun
em·​bar·​rass·​ment | \ im-ˈbar-É™-smÉ™nt How to pronounce embarrassment (audio) \

Medical Definition of embarrassment

: difficulty in functioning as a result of disease cardiac embarrassment respiratory embarrassment

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More from Merriam-Webster on embarrassment

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for embarrassment

Spanish Central: Translation of embarrassment

Nglish: Translation of embarrassment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of embarrassment for Arabic Speakers

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