despite the embarrassment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite the embarrassment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs or is accepted regardless of feelings of embarrassment. Example: "She delivered her speech confidently, despite the embarrassment she felt about her earlier mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

And, despite the embarrassment of Watergate, in Nixon's second term, their strategy proved effective over time.

The New Yorker

fatjogger Outstanding stuff, a real highlight despite the embarrassment of riches!

The Guardian - Sport

Despite the embarrassment, the state's top attorney lived to rule another day.

The New York Times

And it's fair to say that the episode, despite the embarrassment, did not hurt Murdoch or the Sunday Times.

The Guardian

Despite the embarrassment of having his personal bathroom habits discussed in front of strangers, Grimm himself addressed the meeting.

The Guardian

Despite the embarrassment most of those involved with Angola in Washington, including the State Department, were still convinced that Mr Savimbi would win a free and fair election.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

And despite the embarrassments of the past few weeks, it shows no sign of abandoning the biggest project of all: its plan to introduce identity cards for everyone.

The Economist

Despite the trading embarrassment, Mr. Mack has revitalized a demoralized firm and achieved progress in weak areas like asset management and brokerage in the last two years.

The New York Times

Despite the evident embarrassment and considerable political damage caused by the decision, Netanyahu has so far made no move to repudiate it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite the inherent embarrassment that comes with winning a Razzie, the strange thing about "bad" movies is that somewhere along the line, being bad became something that was, well, O.K. That's the premise at the heart of Michael Adams's new book, "Showgirls, Teen Wolves, and Astro-Zombies: A Film Critic's Year-Long Quest to Find the Worst Movie Ever Made".

The New Yorker

Maybe you also saw him get up just 10 seconds later, and continue his skate — despite the pain, embarrassment and fear.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite the embarrassment" to acknowledge an awkward or shameful situation while still proceeding with an action or decision.

Common error

Don't use "despite the embarrassment" when a more positive or neutral phrase is appropriate. This phrase emphasizes the negative feeling, so ensure it aligns with the intended tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the embarrassment" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or situation occurs regardless of feelings of shame or awkwardness. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show the phrase being used to introduce a contrasting element.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "despite the embarrassment" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to express that an action or situation proceeds regardless of feelings of shame or awkwardness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is frequently found in news and media sources. While generally neutral in tone, careful consideration should be given to the specific connotation to ensure it aligns with the intended message. Alternatives such as "in spite of the embarrassment" or "regardless of the embarrassment" can be used to achieve similar effects. This guide provides a complete overview, including usage examples, related phrases, and writing guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of the embarrassment

Uses "in spite of" instead of "despite", a simple synonym swap.

regardless of the embarrassment

Replaces "despite" with "regardless of", offering a stronger emphasis on the disregard for the feeling.

notwithstanding the embarrassment

Employs "notwithstanding" for a more formal tone.

even with the embarrassment

Uses "even with" to highlight the presence of embarrassment.

despite feeling embarrassed

Changes the noun phrase to a participial phrase, emphasizing the feeling of embarrassment.

embarrassment notwithstanding

Reorders the phrase for a slightly more literary or emphatic effect.

with all the embarrassment

Emphasizes the totality of the embarrassment experienced.

in the face of embarrassment

Implies confronting or enduring the embarrassment.

disregarding the embarrassment

Focuses on actively ignoring the embarrassment.

unfazed by the embarrassment

Suggests a lack of concern about the embarrassment.

FAQs

How can I use "despite the embarrassment" in a sentence?

You can use "despite the embarrassment" to show that someone did something even though they felt ashamed or awkward. For example, "Despite the embarrassment, she continued her presentation".

What phrases are similar to "despite the embarrassment"?

Similar phrases include "in spite of the embarrassment", "regardless of the embarrassment", or "even with the embarrassment".

When is it appropriate to use "despite the embarrassment"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that an action occurred even though there was a strong feeling of shame, awkwardness, or humiliation involved. Choose another phrasing if the feeling of embarrassment is not the core element of the sentence.

Is "despite the embarrassment" formal or informal?

"Despite the embarrassment" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives like "notwithstanding the embarrassment" might be preferred in very formal writing.