more embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more embarrassing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the level of embarrassment between two or more situations or actions. Example: "I thought tripping in front of my crush was embarrassing, but forgetting their name was even more embarrassing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It might be embarrassing but gorilla armpits are even more embarrassing.

WikiHow

It will merely be more embarrassing.

The Economist

But it has recently got even more embarrassing.

The Guardian

Rather, their constant disparaging and scheming against Corbyn will only become more embarrassing.

Independent

But people also accurately report personal bankruptcies, which would seem more embarrassing.

The New York Times

It's more embarrassing for myself than them; I let them down," he added.

BBC

Could anything be more embarrassing for them?

Huffington Post

Just when you think she couldn't get any more embarrassing.

Huffington Post

It's even more embarrassing.

WikiHow

And there is nothing more embarrassing then sweat marks.

WikiHow

It may be more embarrassing for the both of you if other people are around.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more embarrassing" to compare two situations and highlight which one causes a greater sense of shame or awkwardness. It is best used when the difference in embarrassment levels is notable and relevant to the point you're making.

Common error

Avoid using "more embarrassing" when simply describing a single embarrassing situation without a comparison. In such cases, use "embarrassing" or "very embarrassing" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more embarrassing" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something that causes a greater degree of shame, awkwardness, or discomfort compared to something else. Ludwig examples show this comparison in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more embarrassing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative adjective phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively highlights the higher degree of shame or awkwardness between two situations. It sees common usage across news, media, and informal content. To best utilize this phrase, ensure you're making a clear comparison between two distinct scenarios. Remember to avoid using it when merely describing a single, non-comparative embarrassing situation. By considering these points, you can ensure precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even more humiliating

Replaces "embarrassing" with "humiliating", suggesting a deeper level of shame.

substantially more mortifying

Emphasizes the shame by using "mortifying", which implies a strong feeling of embarrassment.

considerably more awkward

Substitutes "embarrassing" with "awkward", focusing on the uncomfortable nature of the situation.

far more shameful

Replaces "embarrassing" with "shameful", highlighting the feeling of guilt or disgrace.

noticeably more cringe-worthy

Emphasizes the feeling of discomfort and awkwardness.

markedly more discomfiting

Uses "discomfiting" to suggest a loss of ease and comfort, a subtler form of embarrassment.

increasingly more awkward

Highlights the rising level of discomfort.

all the more uncomfortable

Focuses on physical or emotional discomfort.

decidedly more unsettling

Emphasizes the unsettling nature of embarrassment.

somewhat more humiliating

Lessens the intensity of "humiliating" with "somewhat" yet still implies deeper shame.

FAQs

How do I use "more embarrassing" in a sentence?

Use "more embarrassing" to compare two situations and indicate which one is more awkward or shameful. For example, "Forgetting your lines on stage is embarrassing, but tripping and falling is "more embarrassing"".

What's the difference between "embarrassing" and "more embarrassing"?

"Embarrassing" describes something that causes shame or awkwardness. "More embarrassing" is comparative, indicating that one thing is more awkward or shameful than another. For example, failing a test is embarrassing, but failing the same test twice is "more embarrassing".

What can I say instead of "more embarrassing"?

You can use alternatives like "more humiliating", "more awkward", or "more mortifying" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "most embarrassing" instead of "more embarrassing"?

"Most embarrassing" is used to describe the highest degree of embarrassment among several options. "More embarrassing" is used to compare only two things. For instance, "That was the most embarrassing moment of my life" versus "That was "more embarrassing" than the last time".