acutely embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

"acutely embarrassing" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that causes intense discomfort or shame. For example: It was acutely embarrassing when she tripped and spilled her drink all over the floor in front of everyone.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

They found it acutely embarrassing.

The Guardian

Macdonald's intervention is acutely embarrassing for coalition ministers.

The Guardian

It is acutely embarrassing to the United States.

The New York Times

Government advisers realised that the prime minister had been put in an acutely embarrassing situation.

The Economist

For someone as invested in his image as Sheriff Arpaio, the questioning must have been acutely embarrassing.

The New York Times

Legal action against News Corp in the States over hacking would be acutely embarrassing for Rupert Murdoch.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

When McNamara subsequently cut the Skybolt program in his campaign to streamline the Pentagon, the British government was acutely embarrassed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Growing up, Ellis had been acutely embarrassed talking to women, and had avoided doing so at all costs.

The Guardian - Opinion

The announcement acutely embarrassed the vice president and put off the start of indirect, American-brokered peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

The New York Times

The hearings could acutely embarrass the ISI, which is suspected by many in the US and elsewhere of protecting the man responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

The Guardian

Israel was acutely embarrassed by the announcement, which came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was praising the United States in a speech in Washington for imposing tougher sanctions on Iran for its nuclear activities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acutely embarrassing", ensure the context clearly highlights the reason for the intense shame or discomfort. Provide enough detail so the reader understands the severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "acutely embarrassing" for situations that are only mildly awkward or slightly shameful. This phrase should be reserved for events that cause significant discomfort or have serious repercussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acutely embarrassing" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that causes a high degree of shame or discomfort. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts ranging from political blunders to personal mishaps. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acutely embarrassing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that describes situations causing intense shame or discomfort. According to Ludwig, its function is to emphasize the severity of embarrassment. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase is suitable for neutral to professional contexts. When using "acutely embarrassing", ensure the intensity of the situation warrants such a strong descriptor, avoiding its overuse in mildly awkward scenarios. Related phrases, such as "incredibly embarrassing" and "extremely embarrassing", can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incredibly embarrassing

Replaces "acutely" with "incredibly" to denote a high degree of embarrassment.

exceedingly embarrassing

Substitutes "acutely" with "exceedingly" to emphasize the intensity of embarrassment.

extremely embarrassing

Replaces "acutely" with "extremely" to indicate a significant level of embarrassment.

highly embarrassing

Uses "highly" instead of "acutely" to convey a strong degree of embarrassment.

deeply embarrassing

Substitutes "acutely" with "deeply" to suggest a profound sense of embarrassment.

utterly embarrassing

Replaces "acutely" with "utterly" to emphasize the completeness of the embarrassment.

absolutely embarrassing

Uses "absolutely" instead of "acutely" to intensify the feeling of embarrassment.

totally embarrassing

Replaces "acutely" with "totally" to express a complete sense of embarrassment.

seriously embarrassing

Substitutes "acutely" with "seriously" to highlight the gravity of the embarrassing situation.

particularly embarrassing

Uses "particularly" instead of "acutely" to emphasize the specific nature of the embarrassment.

FAQs

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

Use "acutely embarrassing" to describe situations causing intense shame or discomfort. For example, "It was acutely embarrassing when I forgot my boss's name during the presentation."

What phrases can I use instead of "acutely embarrassing"?

You can use alternatives like "incredibly embarrassing", "extremely embarrassing", or "utterly embarrassing", depending on the specific context.

Is "acutely embarrassing" a formal or informal expression?

"Acutely embarrassing" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in news and media or professional settings due to its precise and descriptive nature.

What makes a situation "acutely embarrassing" rather than just "embarrassing"?

A situation is "acutely embarrassing" when the level of discomfort, shame, or awkwardness is significantly higher than a typical embarrassing situation. It implies a more intense and impactful emotional response.