highly embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly embarrassing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that causes a significant level of embarrassment. Example: "When I tripped and fell in front of everyone at the party, it was highly embarrassing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Highly embarrassing, mildly funny.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was also highly embarrassing.

The Guardian

The move is highly embarrassing for France.

The Guardian

The capture was highly embarrassing for the Navy.

The New York Times

The report could prove highly embarrassing for the Met.

The Guardian

IT IS highly embarrassing to say the least.

The Economist

The apparent reversal is highly embarrassing for the police.

The New York Times

What he turns up could well prove to be highly embarrassing to police chiefs.

The Guardian

A mysterious green tint in the diving and water polo pools was highly embarrassing.

The New York Times - Sports

The comments, which were reproduced by the British media, proved highly embarrassing to Mr. Brown.

The New York Times

The Manhattan D.A. has brought forth a great deal of highly embarrassing information about her.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing situations that cause significant embarrassment to institutions or public figures, use "highly embarrassing" to effectively convey the severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "highly" too frequently as an intensifier in your writing. While "highly embarrassing" is a common and accepted phrase, overuse of "highly" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "extremely", "deeply", or "utterly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly embarrassing" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe something that causes a significant degree of shame or awkwardness. As Ludwig confirms, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly embarrassing" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that describes something causing a considerable amount of shame or awkwardness. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is prevalent in news and media contexts, serving to negatively evaluate situations and events. While it is suitable for professional writing, it is important to consider alternatives like "deeply humiliating" or "utterly shameful" to avoid repetition. This phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply humiliating

Focuses on the severe level of humiliation involved.

utterly shameful

Emphasizes the sense of shame associated with the situation.

extremely mortifying

Stresses the feeling of being deeply ashamed or humiliated.

profoundly awkward

Highlights the discomfort and lack of ease.

terribly compromising

Focuses on the way the situation damages one's reputation.

seriously compromising

Similar to "terribly compromising" but with less intensity.

incredibly discrediting

Emphasizes the loss of credibility resulting from the situation.

majorly cringeworthy

Captures the feeling of intense discomfort and vicarious embarrassment.

quite the spectacle

Highlights the public and often negative attention drawn to the event.

really face-palming

Emphasizes a strong feeling of embarrassment and disbelief.

FAQs

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

You can use "highly embarrassing" to describe situations or events that cause a significant degree of shame or awkwardness. For example, "The Olympic flag fiasco was "highly embarrassing" for the organizers".

What are some alternatives to "highly embarrassing"?

Alternatives include "deeply humiliating", "utterly shameful", or "profoundly awkward", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "highly embarrassing"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the significant level of embarrassment caused by a particular situation or event, especially in formal or neutral contexts like news reporting or academic writing.

Is there a difference between "highly embarrassing" and "very embarrassing"?

While both phrases indicate a considerable level of embarrassment, "highly embarrassing" often suggests a more significant impact or broader consequences than "very embarrassing". The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.