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embarrassment

noun
em·​bar·​rass·​ment | \ im-ˈber-ə-smənt How to pronounce embarrassment (audio) , -ˈba-rəs-\

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

 Darroch’s cables should, rightly, also be an embarrassment to the Republican Party, and to all those who work with Trump. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, "Trump Isn’t the Only One Who Should Be Embarrassed by the U.K. Ambassador’s Cables," 9 July 2019 Tell the city that what’s going on right now is an embarrassment to you, and to anyone that knows baseball. — Rob Tornoe, Philly.com, "WIP's Angelo Cataldi missed Larry Andersen on the Phillies broadcast this weekend," 2 Apr. 2018 Booz Allen struggled to deal with a second security embarrassment, hiring former FBI director Robert S. Mueller III to investigate the leak and revising its hiring and supervision protocols. — Tom Jackman, Washington Post, "NSA contractor who stole massive amounts of classified material set for sentencing Friday," 19 July 2019 Alessandro Michele’s Gucci is an embarrassment of riches, with dozens of trophy pieces to fawn over and covet. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "We’ve Gotta Have It: The 17 Items that Defined Fashion in the 2010s," 18 July 2019 An embarrassment on the field and off even with Home Run Derby champ Pete Alonso. — John Shea, SFChronicle.com, "MLB second-half storylines: Giants could do Bumgarner a favor by trading him," 13 July 2019 Back in the day when your mother spotting your name in the newspaper was mortifying, sheer social embarrassment was punishment enough. — Lionel Shriver, Harper's magazine, "Cruel and Unusual Punishment," 10 Feb. 2019 The brand has even snuck in a few of its very latest releases, as if this embarrassment of riches wasn't already enough. — Alexis Rhiannon, Allure, "Our Favorite Covergirl Makeup Is on Sale Right Now for Prime Day," 15 July 2019 The election embarrassment in Istanbul will encourage former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and former Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan to establish new political parties of their own, giving disillusioned supporters new options. — Ian Bremmer, Time, "Istanbul’s Rebuke of Erdogan Shows That Democracy Lives," 27 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-əs-mənt 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-ə-smənt 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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