embarrass
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for embarrass, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make someone feel awkward, ashamed, or self-conscious, often in front of others.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use embarrass
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From French embarrasser, borrowed from Spanish embarazar, ultimately linked to a word meaning "bar" or "obstacle" — the original sense was to obstruct or hinder.
Full origin of embarrass →Frequently asked questions
What does “embarrass” mean?
The word “embarrass” means to make someone feel awkward, ashamed, or self-conscious, often in front of others. In plain terms, to cause someone to feel awkward or ashamed, usually in a public or social situation.
How do you pronounce “embarrass”?
“Embarrass” is pronounced ihm-BA-ruhs (/ɪmˈbæɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “embarrass” in a sentence?
Here is “embarrass” used in a sentence: “His father embarrassed him by singing loudly in the restaurant.”
What part of speech is “embarrass”?
“Embarrass” is a verb.
Where does the word “embarrass” come from?
The word “embarrass” comes from French. From French embarrasser, borrowed from Spanish embarazar, ultimately linked to a word meaning "bar" or "obstacle" — the original sense was to obstruct or hinder.
Is “embarrass” a common word?
“Embarrass” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “embarrass” have?
“Embarrass” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make someone feel awkward, ashamed, or self-conscious, often in front of others.