seriously embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seriously 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: "I found it seriously embarrassing when I tripped and fell in front of everyone at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Still, although the vote is not binding, it is seriously embarrassing.

The Economist

Soon this formidable woman is making discoveries and seriously embarrassing the police in the process.

The Guardian - Film

But the slightly unnerving euphoria infecting the nation last weekend should not be allowed to serve as a fig leaf to some seriously embarrassing deficiencies.

Independent

The event that ought to display Scotland in all its summer glory is instead now regularly, and seriously, embarrassing this country.

The Guardian - Opinion

This time, Ron makes an involuntary noise that sounds like a sexual moan, seriously embarrassing both men.

Wikipedia

If if gets too high, the results can be seriously embarrassing.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Which is lucky, because I am about to seriously embarrass myself.

The Guardian - Travel

A failed exfiltration operation would receive immediate worldwide attention and would seriously embarrass the U.S., its president and the C.I.A.

The New York Times

The subsequent posting of large amounts of that information on the WikiLeaks site seriously embarrassed the United States, causing a global diplomatic flap.

Independent

The sketch works because it is full of lethal comedy, and because you imagine it would seriously embarrass its real-life participants if they happened to see it.

The Guardian

If mishandled by the Chinese police (who have been instructed to stop demonstrations as politely as possible), these incidents could seriously embarrass the hosts, multinational companies sponsoring the games and foreign dignitaries.Patriotic fervour and a surging economy will help to keep a lid on unrest by domestic malcontents.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, use "seriously embarrassing" to reflect a character's subjective experience of discomfort and shame, adding depth to their emotional response.

Common error

Avoid using "seriously embarrassing" too frequently, as it can lose its impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "utterly humiliating" or "deeply mortifying" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seriously embarrassing" functions as an intensifier followed by an adjective. The adverb "seriously" modifies the adjective "embarrassing", emphasizing the degree of embarrassment. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used to describe situations that cause significant discomfort or shame.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seriously embarrassing" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe situations that cause a high degree of embarrassment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, primarily within News & Media and Wiki sources. While effective in conveying the intensity of the feeling, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider alternative phrases such as "utterly humiliating" or "deeply mortifying" to maintain impact. As the evidence suggests, this phrase is suitable for neutral to informal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply mortifying

Emphasizes the feeling of humiliation more strongly.

genuinely mortifying

Emphasizes the authenticity of the mortification.

utterly humiliating

Highlights the completeness and intensity of the humiliation.

exceptionally humiliating

Highlights that the level of humiliation is above average.

profoundly shameful

Focuses on the feeling of shame associated with the embarrassment.

terribly awkward

Shifts the focus to the discomfort and lack of ease.

extremely cringe-worthy

Implies a strong feeling of vicarious embarrassment.

remarkably disconcerting

Focuses on the unsettling nature of the situation.

very regrettable

Highlights the feeling of wishing the event hadn't happened.

quite discomfiting

Similar to awkward, but slightly more formal.

FAQs

What does "seriously embarrassing" mean?

The phrase "seriously embarrassing" describes a situation or event that causes a significant level of shame, discomfort, or humiliation. It suggests the embarrassment is more intense than a mild awkwardness.

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

You can use "seriously embarrassing" to describe a situation. For example, "It was seriously embarrassing when I forgot my boss's name."

What are some alternatives to "seriously embarrassing"?

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

Is "seriously embarrassing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "seriously embarrassing" is grammatically correct. "Seriously" is an adverb modifying the adjective "embarrassing", indicating the degree or intensity of the embarrassment.