1
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
the modest young soldiers were embarrassed by the public praise for their heroism
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
a lot of this paperwork is unnecessary and just embarrasses the organization
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to complicate
to make complex or difficult
claims that the new government regulations will needlessly embarrass the operations of small businesses in the state
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of embarrass
We’re all supposed to be embarrassed by prizes or feel above them or apart from them.
—
Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Release all of their names, embarrass them, and get back to helping our Country!
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 2 Jan. 2026
The Tide got embarrassed by an Indiana program that won just three games two years ago.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
And the Chiefs sawed the legs off their throne, gleefully embarrassing them.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embarrass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrass
Verb
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The 40-year-old cooks up ways to make quarterbacks miserable in his sleep, devising schemes that are meant to lure as much as they are intended to confuse.—
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Canales-Pelaez said that local departments may be confusing administrative warrants with criminal ones, or overcomplying to avoid backlash from the state Legislature.—
Verb
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Yet the current administration’s dismissive stance toward mRNA science, particularly COVID vaccines, could impede that effort.—
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New data shows Loop vacancies ballooned over the recent third quarter as post-pandemic work trends continue to impact and impede demand.—
Verb
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Elhawary acknowledged the billionaire tax proposal is a complicating factor in discussions about taxes, which is already a politically fraught issue.—
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Mental advocates pointed to one misunderstood aspect of a serious mental illness, which complicates ideas of patient autonomy and choice.—
Verb
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The run-in may have been awkward on-screen, but Franceschini wasn't flustered.—
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Pinnick in a series of plays can fluster his coaches for extending a play when maybe throwing the ball away might be wiser.—
Verb
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Normally, scent voices are mere whispers compared to the screams and angry shouts of humans, but in that section, certain sensitive plant species shrieked incessantly because of their proximity to plants that hindered their growth.—
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Among the factors hindering higher youth participation, CIRCLE research shows, include confusing registration deadlines and requirements, a lack of youth outreach and a dearth of regular curriculum that teaches young people about elections and voting in school.—
Verb
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The disjunction between the abstract composition and the notion of self-portraiture appeared perplexing in its own right; its inoperability only exacerbated the viewer’s frustration and redoubled the artist’s impish provocation.—
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But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Verb
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Take a seat on an icy throne—the cold never bothered you anyway.—
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Don’t bother wasting your money—using it more than once a day won’t yield ‘better’ or faster results.—
Verb
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
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Archival added that rescue efforts had been hampered by the fact that any sparks created by digging machinery could ignite methane gas emitted by the landfill, per the outlet.—
Cite this Entry
“Embarrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrass. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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