embarrass

em-bar-rass · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To cause someone to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed.

  2. 2.

    To make someone feel socially uncomfortable.

  3. 3.

    To cause difficulties or problems for someone, especially in a public context.

  4. 4.

    (archaic) To impede or obstruct; to make difficult.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    embarrass oneself — to do something that causes one's own shame
  • •
    financially embarrassed — (euphemism) having money troubles

Related words

Antonyms: comfort, reassure
See also: embarrassed, embarrassing, embarrassment, humiliate, shame
Synonyms: disconcert, fluster, humiliate, mortify, shame

Etymology

From French embarrasser ("to block, obstruct"), from Spanish embarazar ("to hamper"), possibly from Portuguese embaracar ("to entangle"), from em- ("in") + baracar ("to tangle"). The original sense was "to hamper" or "impede"; the emotional sense developed in the 18th century.