embarrass

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb embarrass contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of embarrass are abash, discomfit, disconcert, and rattle. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

When might abash be a better fit than embarrass?

The synonyms abash and embarrass are sometimes interchangeable, but abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

In what contexts can discomfit take the place of embarrass?

The meanings of discomfit and embarrass largely overlap; however, discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When would disconcert be a good substitute for embarrass?

While in some cases nearly identical to embarrass, disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

Where would rattle be a reasonable alternative to embarrass?

The words rattle and embarrass can be used in similar contexts, but rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of embarrass Desperate to impress Ruby, Ava scrambles to get Deborah jokes for a desk bit, only for a capricious and vindictive Deborah to cancel the bit entirely and use the time to probe Ruby about embarrassing Ava stories on national television. Alison Herman, Variety, 9 May 2025 Here are examples from each president over the past 50 years or so of statements that at least some of them were embarrassed by or came to regret. Chris Lamb, The Conversation, 2 May 2025 Dallas embarrassed Columbus, winning Women’s 11-1 and Mixed No. 1 11-0 to cruise in a statement-making opener before losing the meaningless final. Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 The goal isn’t to embarrass or dominate the other person. John Bowe, CNBC, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for embarrass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrass
Verb
  • While no one should ever have confused the entertainment business with a warm binkie, the institutions themselves are in the new and awkward spot of having to justify their existence.
    Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 12 May 2025
  • All of the footage from The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon makes the show-within-a-show look silly, which the series confuses with humorousness.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • The Justice Department announced charges against McIver on May 19 for assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement related to an altercation at a Newark immigration facility.
    Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The family attempted to lobby the state and local legislatures to ease up on regulations that impeded the fishing industry, and eventually the closure of their business. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The family eventually moved to Massachusetts.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Start connecting with your ideal clients today Getting calls with your dream customers isn't complicated.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • While their relationship is complicated, to say the least, Serena doesn't want to see June executed.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • In any other circumstance, I would have been flustered, embarrassed, and ready to drag her out of there and straight into a time-out.
    Staff Author, Parents, 5 May 2025
  • Midway through Donald Trump‘s 100-day interview with ABC’s Terry Moran, the president got flustered.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This discrepancy hindered the adoption of BI, which might further damage AI by generating models that are trained with false assumptions and generate erroneous predictions.
    Artyom Keydunov, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Starring Frank Dillane, the film — which was already generating buzz before Cannes — follows a troubled but charming young man on the streets of London whose efforts to get his life in order are hindered by his own self-destructive tendencies.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Multiple current and former FDA officials said they were perplexed by Makary's claim, given the push for longer trips in the past had been an efficiency measure intended to result in the agency being able to complete more inspections.
    Paula Cohen, CBS News, 6 May 2025
  • Archaeologists were perplexed by a strange pair of discs found in Oman – only to discover these items were actually a single 4,000-year-old instrument.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That doesn’t mean the implication doesn’t bother him.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
  • Or Xander Schauffele, the defending PGA champion who is surely not bothered by the lack of attention on him early this week.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Embarrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrass. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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