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 American lawmakers developed the FCPA in response to a series of bribery scandals in the 1970s that had embarrassed the United States, undermined its foreign policies and international partnerships, and injured its companies. Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2025 One seeming point of agreement among publicists is that the scandal has embarrassed the profession as a whole. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025 The rest would sooner expect the AfD to embarrass Germany than to save it. Simon Shuster/berlin, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025 The rapper has famously pressed people (and embarrassed them) regarding giving him monies owed on social media. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for embarrass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrass
Verb
  • Not to be confused with New Zealand musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Along those lines, a settlement should not be confused with a collective bargaining agreement, which pro teams and unionized employees extinguish or mollify a broader range of potential claims.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Without such reform, unmanageable debt will continue to impede these countries from investing in domestic green industrial strategies or in other measures to prevent and respond to climate, health, and other emergencies.
    Mariana Mazzucato, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
  • However, any individual who impedes law enforcement operations, potentially threatening the safety of law enforcement agents and subjects of their investigations, is subject to investigation and potential prosecution by the Department of Justice.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • That’s the one thing that could get complicated, at least from a hitter’s perspective.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Figuring out the best time to apply can be complicated.
    Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In East Hampton, a 1964 house with a pair of steeply angled roofs displayed a severe flair that must have flustered the neighbors in nearby cottages.
    Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 26 Feb. 2025
  • If someone isn’t flustered by [nontraditional interview questions] and can have really strategic and thoughtful conversations ...
    Megan Sauer, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Hamby noted older teens in high school should be mindful of behaviors that hinder their personal growth.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Any broad shutdowns of missions, especially entire embassies, would hinder the work of large parts of the federal government and potentially compromise U.S. national security.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, a Queens Democrat who has recently stepped up her criticism of the mayor, was perplexed by his refusal to slam Trump’s recent actions.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Several drones were reportedly spotted in the skies above a Connecticut suburb Thursday night, adding to recent sightings that have perplexed residents and raised questions about possible national security and public safety concerns.
    Louis Casiano, Fox News, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.
    Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • In the show’s latter years, however, that’s mostly been condensed down to one sewing challenge and one ball — season 13 didn’t even bother with the sewing challenge, just hitting the single ball.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Feb. 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.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
  • This complexity hampers everything from vulnerability triage to compliance audits, ironically undermining the very protections these tools promise.
    Aviv Mussinger, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Embarrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrass. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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