embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "embarrassing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something or someone as causing a feeling of discomfort, awkwardness, or shame. For example: I felt embarrassed when my co-worker made fun of the shirt I was wearing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's nobody else's fault but mine, and it's embarrassing".

The Guardian - Tech

If they don't, how will they ever learn what suits them, or have hilariously embarrassing photos to look back on?

The Guardian - Opinion

The book recalls: "The government had been saved at the 59th minute of the 11th hour from a grossly embarrassing situation".

The Guardian

Harsher critics accused him of embarrassing Australia's international standing and jeopardising bilateral ties by publishing his candid thoughts about foreign leaders and private conversations.

The Guardian

Sometimes it was embarrassing to roll up on council estates, at women's refuges, probation hostels or queues of the homeless at midnight soup kitchens – but never mind the car, she could put anyone at their ease.

The Guardian - Arts

Even so, it was embarrassing, wasn't it?

The Guardian

Deeply embarrassing #bbcjubilee – actor Stephen Fry on Twitter "Don't get me wrong peeps, I'm not saying this in relation to ER II's jubilee – just expected better of the Beeb.

The Guardian

Just in case his bowling wasn't embarrassing enough … — mike selvey (@selvecricket) January 31 , 2014Jade Dernbach might learn one day that there are times when it is best just to button it.

The Guardian - Sport

I could name on one hand the things that I think are OK; the rest of it is just rubbish and embarrassing.

The Guardian

How embarrassing can you get?" In November 2010 he appeared on a Channel 4 documentary, What the Green Movement Got Wrong, and a live debate that followed.

The Guardian

Clancy, 59, took over as acting head of the agency in October when his predecessor, Julia Pierson, resigned after agents allowed several embarrassing breaches, including failing to stop a man with a knife from climbing the White House fence, sprinting across the lawn and then running 80ft into the president's home.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "embarrassing," consider the perspective of the person experiencing the embarrassment. What might be embarrassing for one person may not be for another.

Common error

Avoid using "embarrassing" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional vocabulary such as "problematic", "unfortunate", or "detrimental", depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The word "embarrassing" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that causes embarrassment, shame, or awkwardness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and commonly observed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Sport

10%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Lifestyle

7%

Business

5%

TV & Radio

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "embarrassing" is an adjective used to describe something that causes a feeling of discomfort, shame, or awkwardness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. As evidenced by the examples, it frequently appears in News & Media, Sport, and Opinion contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider the intensity of the feeling you wish to convey and choose synonyms accordingly, such as humiliating, shameful, or mortifying, for greater precision. Avoid overuse in formal writing, opting for more professional vocabulary when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mortifying

Suggests an extreme level of embarrassment, almost to the point of being unbearable.

humiliating

Emphasizes a severe loss of pride or dignity.

shameful

Implies a stronger sense of moral wrongness or impropriety than "embarrassing".

ignominious

Refers to a public or shameful disgrace or dishonor.

cringeworthy

Describes something so embarrassing it causes a physical reaction of discomfort.

awkward

Focuses on the feeling of unease or clumsiness in a social situation, rather than shame.

disgraceful

Carries a connotation of dishonor and public shame.

chagrining

Causing a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation.

disconcerting

Highlights the feeling of being unsettled or confused, which can lead to embarrassment.

uncomfortable

A broader term that encompasses physical or emotional unease, not necessarily related to shame.

FAQs

How can I use "embarrassing" in a sentence?

You can use "embarrassing" to describe a situation, feeling, or action that causes discomfort or shame, such as "It was an "embarrassing" moment when I tripped on stage."

What's a less intense synonym for "embarrassing"?

If you want to convey a milder sense of discomfort, you could use words like "awkward" or "uncomfortable" instead of "embarrassing".

Is it correct to say "embarrassing" situation or "embarrassed" situation?

It is correct to say ""embarrassing" situation". "Embarrassed" describes a feeling, whereas "embarrassing" describes something that causes that feeling.

What are some phrases similar to "embarrassing" to add variety to my writing?

Consider using alternatives such as "humiliating", "shameful", or "mortifying" to express different degrees of the same feeling.