experience embarrassment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "experience embarrassment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone feels self-conscious or ashamed due to a particular event or action. Example: "During the presentation, I could feel myself experience embarrassment when I realized I had forgotten my notes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Defendant Rose appears to suggest that women who publicly portray themselves as 'sexual' are less likely to experience embarrassment, humiliation and harassment associated with gang rape.

The Guardian

In brain imaging studies, it lights up when people look at romantic partners; perceive unfairness, deception or uncertainty about rewards; experience embarrassment; or, if they are mothers, hear infants cry.

The New York Times - Science

He concluded that a successful apology needs several elements: Apologizers experience embarrassment, acknowledge violating the rules, ask for forgiveness and express willingness to take a punishment.

Huffington Post

"Defendant Rose," the judge wrote, "appears to suggest that women who publicly portray themselves as 'sexual' are less likely to experience embarrassment, humiliation and harassment associated with gang rape.

Los Angeles Times

Artistically, it is a series of cinematic portraits, each of which shows the unique weather patterns of that individual's internal atmosphere, as they pass from nervous, to relaxed, to lost in the music, return to self-conscious, experience embarrassment and then return to their joy.

Huffington Post

People vicariously experience embarrassment when observing others' public pratfalls or etiquette violations.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Proponents of the name change claimed they experienced embarrassment each time they pulled out their driver's licence.

Vice

The man isn't sorry that he wore his penguin suit (the action), but he is genuinely sorry that his partner experiences embarrassment (the impact) at being seen with him in this attire.

Huffington Post

This reasoning explains why people experience vicarious embarrassment for a protagonist who is currently not experiencing embarrassment at his or hers own flaws and why individual differences in trait empathy are positively correlated with this experience.

Plosone

Some patients were perceived as experiencing embarrassment or shame that would preclude their seeking care/treatment for PPUI, and/or care involving the pelvic floor/penile region.

BMC Health Services Research

They experienced embarrassment from the sudden change in assessment of drug effectiveness by the authority, as this resulted in the standard treatment they had performed in good faith being labelled as "scientifically ineffective".

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for the active and simpler phrase "feel embarrassed" when aiming for concise and direct language. For instance, instead of "They experienced embarrassment", write "They felt embarrassed".

Common error

Avoid using "experience embarrassment" in overly casual or informal situations where simpler alternatives like "feel awkward" or "get embarrassed" would be more appropriate. "Experience embarrassment" can sound stilted in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "experience embarrassment" functions as a verb phrase where "experience" acts as a transitive verb taking "embarrassment" as its direct object. This construction describes the act of undergoing or feeling the emotion of embarrassment, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "experience embarrassment" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the feeling of self-consciousness or shame. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. While acceptable in formal and neutral contexts such as news and scientific writing, simpler alternatives like "feel embarrassed" are often favored in informal settings. When using "experience embarrassment", consider the context and ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality. Remember that other phrases such as "undergo humiliation" may better express the meaning you are trying to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel embarrassed

This is a more direct and common way of expressing the same sentiment, using an adjective instead of a noun.

be mortified

This suggests a very strong feeling of embarrassment, close to shame.

undergo humiliation

This suggests a more intense and possibly public form of embarrassment.

face a humiliating ordeal

Similar to 'undergo humiliation' but emphasizes the difficult nature of the embarrassing situation.

suffer shame

This implies a deeper sense of wrong-doing or moral failing associated with the embarrassment.

endure a loss of face

This suggests a cultural context where reputation or public image is at stake.

encounter awkwardness

This refers to a more subdued or social form of embarrassment, often situational.

be subjected to ridicule

Focuses on the external aspect of being embarrassed by others' mockery.

sense discomfiture

This implies a mild form of unease and embarrassment, often in formal settings.

go through a degrading situation

This describes the experience, not the internal feeling, focusing on circumstances that cause embarrassment.

FAQs

What does "experience embarrassment" mean?

To "experience embarrassment" means to feel self-conscious, ashamed, or uncomfortable due to a social blunder, personal failing, or other situation that causes one to feel exposed or inadequate.

What can I say instead of "experience embarrassment"?

You can use alternatives like "feel embarrassed", "undergo humiliation", or "be mortified" depending on the context.

How can I use "experience embarrassment" in a sentence?

You might say, "The politician "experienced embarrassment" when his past misdeeds were revealed" or "Many patients "experienced embarrassment" from their skin lesions".

Is it better to say "feel embarrassed" or "experience embarrassment"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "feel embarrassed" is often preferred for its simplicity and directness. "Experience embarrassment" can sound more formal or clinical.