Embarrass — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /im-ˈber-əs/ em·bar·rass

Meaning & Definition of Embarrass

Embarrass (verb)

  1. to cause to experience a state of self-conscious distress
  2. to place in doubt, perplexity, or difficulties
  3. to involve in financial difficulties

Embarrass (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to throw into a state of self-conscious distress

    "the modest young soldiers were embarrassed by the public praise for their heroism"

    similar: abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle
    related: agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, put off, put out, unhinge, unsettle, upset, debase, degrade, demean, humble, humiliate, queer, shame
    near: calm, comfort, console, relieve, soothe, buoy, cheer, embolden, encourage, hearten, assure, reassure

  2. to create difficulty for the work or activity of

    "a lot of this paperwork is unnecessary and just embarrasses the organization"

    similar: clog, cramp, encumber, fetter, hamper, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel, cramp one's style, give a hard time
    related: balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain, bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie, arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard, barricade, block, blockade, roadblock, bog (down), mire, choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate, baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart, derail, disrupt, sabotage, muzzle, repress, suppress, confine, hedge (in), hem (in)
    opposite: aid, assist, facilitate, help
    near: clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop, free, liberate, release, untie, loosen, smooth, encourage, further, promote

  3. to make complex or difficult

    "claims that the new government regulations will needlessly embarrass the operations of small businesses in the state"

    similar: complex, complexify, complicate, entangle, perplex, sophisticate
    related: develop, elaborate, expand, intensify, magnify, confound, confuse, mess (up), mix (up), muddle, snarl, tangle
    opposite: simplify, streamline
    near: abbreviate, cut, shorten, ease, facilitate, disentangle, straighten (out), unravel, untangle, oversimplify

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Embarrass

The most common words with a similar meaning to Embarrass:

abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle, clog, cramp, encumber, fetter, hamper, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel, complex, complexify, complicate, entangle, perplex, sophisticate, cramp one's style

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Embarrass

Words with the opposite meaning of Embarrass:

aid, assist, facilitate, help, simplify, streamline

Related Words for Embarrass

agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, put off, put out, unhinge, unsettle, upset, debase, degrade, demean, humble, humiliate, queer, shame, balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain, bind, chain

Near Antonyms of Embarrass

calm, comfort, console, relieve, soothe, buoy, cheer, embolden, encourage, hearten, assure, reassure, clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop, free, liberate, release, untie, loosen, smooth, further, promote, abbreviate, cut, shorten, ease

Word Forms of Embarrass

Inflections: embarrassed, embarrassing, embarrasses

Derived words: embarrassable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Embarrass

French embarrasser, from Spanish embarazar, from Portuguese embaraçar, from em- (from Latin in-) + baraça noose

First known use: 1578t

Frequently Asked Questions about Embarrass

What does "Embarrass" mean?

"Embarrass" means to cause to experience a state of self-conscious distress. As a verb, it is defined as: to cause to experience a state of self-conscious distress. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Embarrass"?

Other words for "Embarrass" include abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, faze and fluster. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Embarrass" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Embarrass"?

There are 115 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Embarrass". Common alternatives include abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, faze, fluster, mortify and nonplus.

What is the opposite of "Embarrass"?

Antonyms of "Embarrass" include aid, assist, facilitate, help, simplify and streamline. Near antonyms include calm, comfort, console and relieve.

How do you use "Embarrass" in a sentence?

Examples of "Embarrass" in a sentence: "the modest young soldiers were embarrassed by the public praise for their heroism"; "a lot of this paperwork is unnecessary and just embarrasses the organization"; "claims that the new government regulations will needlessly embarrass the operations of small businesses in the state".

Is "Embarrass" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Embarrass" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Embarrass"?

"Embarrass" is pronounced /im-ˈber-əs/ and divided into syllables as em·bar·rass.

What is the origin of the word "Embarrass"?

"Embarrass" comes from French embarrasser, from Spanish embarazar, from Portuguese embaraçar, from em- (from Latin in-) + baraça noose. First known use: 1578t.