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Definition of embarrass

embarrass

/ɪmˈbær.əs/
em · bar · rass
Adverb:embarrassingly
•
Adjective:embarrassing
•
Past Simple:embarrassed
•
Past Participle:embarrassed
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Present Participle:embarrassing
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embarrass Lexical Profile

embarrass Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To cause someone to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed.

Example

"She worried that forgetting her lines on stage would embarrass her in front of the entire school."

2

To cause someone or an organization to experience financial difficulty or political predicament.

Example

"The sudden market downturn threatened to embarrass the firm financially before the quarterly audit."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for embarrass

• Rhymes for embarrass

• Nearby Words

embargo
embark
embarkation
embarrass
embarrassable
embarrassed
embarrassedly

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from French embarrasser, from Spanish embarazar ('to hinder, obstruct'), ultimately from Vulgar Latin *imbarrare ('to bar in' or 'to catch in a noose').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Embarrass. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/embarrass
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