absolutely embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely embarrassing" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to express that something is so embarrassing that it goes beyond any other level of embarrassment. For example: "My attempt at baking a birthday cake was absolutely embarrassing; I even forgot to add the flour!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It's absolutely embarrassing that there are countries that are that intolerant and that ignorant," Miller said.

The New York Times - Sports

Earlier this fall the skier Bode Miller was one of the few American athletes to speak out against the Russian law, calling it "absolutely embarrassing".

The Guardian - Sport

"The decision for Matt Green (sending off) was absolutely embarrassing.

BBC

"Three years ago, the hack on PlayStation network was massive, expensive and absolutely embarrassing.

BBC

"We lacked discipline to mark people, it was absolutely embarrassing for 30 minutes".

BBC

I've seen it first-hand in every building we go into, how these people are treated, and it's absolutely embarrassing to be a Canadian and know that stuff is still going on".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I'm absolutely embarrassed.

BBC

MK Dons' boss Karl Robinson told BBC Three Counties Radio: "I'm disgusted, I'm absolutely embarrassed.

BBC

Then again, a $54,000 BMW M3 convertible with 333 hp will absolutely embarrass an SC 430 on any road any day of the week and yet is as stable and comfortable as any normal sedan and even has two usable backseats for small children and a fairly generous trunk.

Forbes

I couldn't believe it … He was not aware that for about five days the media had been absolutely hysterical with this embarrassing situation between the two.

The Guardian - Books

More subtly, Edward Said wrote a perceptive analysis of "Kim" in his 1993 book, "Culture and Imperialism," calling the novel "rich and absolutely fascinating" but "profoundly embarrassing".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely embarrassing" to emphasize the extreme nature of the embarrassment. This phrase is most effective when conveying a strong emotional response to a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely embarrassing" too frequently, as it can lose its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms or more descriptive phrases to maintain the reader's interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely embarrassing" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, intensifying the degree of embarrassment. It's used to express a strong negative feeling about something that causes shame or awkwardness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolutely embarrassing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing extreme embarrassment. While Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, it's more suitable for neutral or informal contexts. To prevent overuse, consider alternative phrases such as "utterly humiliating" or "completely mortifying". The phrase appears most often in News & Media contexts, with occasional use in academic and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely mortifying

Substitutes 'embarrassing' with 'mortifying' to intensify the feeling of shame and humiliation.

genuinely mortifying

Emphasizes the authenticity and intensity of the mortification.

utterly humiliating

Replaces 'embarrassing' with 'humiliating' to emphasize the feeling of being degraded or lowered in dignity.

unbelievably humiliating

Stresses the incredulity of the situation and the extent of humiliation experienced.

painfully humiliating

Emphasizes the degree of humiliation experienced, making it more intense than just 'embarrassing'.

exceptionally shameful

Indicates a very high level of shame associated with the situation.

totally cringe-worthy

Uses a more contemporary and informal expression to describe something that causes discomfort or embarrassment.

remarkably disgraceful

Highlights the shameful and unacceptable nature of the event.

incredibly awkward

Shifts the focus from embarrassment to the uncomfortable nature of the situation.

deeply ashamed

Replaces the expression with a focus on the feeling of shame instead of embarrassment.

FAQs

What does "absolutely embarrassing" mean?

It means something is extremely and undeniably embarrassing, surpassing a regular level of embarrassment.

How can I use "absolutely embarrassing" in a sentence?

You can say, "His attempt at public speaking was "absolutely embarrassing"; he forgot his entire speech".

What are some alternatives to "absolutely embarrassing"?

Consider using phrases like "utterly humiliating", "completely mortifying", or "totally cringe-worthy" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "absolutely embarrassing" a formal expression?

No, it's generally considered an informal expression, suitable for casual conversations or less formal writing. In formal contexts, consider using a phrase like "exceptionally shameful".