EMBARRASS Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'embarrass' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of embarrass are abash , discomfit , disconcert , and rattle . While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action. // the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

Q: When might 'abash' be a better fit than 'embarrass'?

The synonyms abash and embarrass are sometimes interchangeable, but abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority. // abashed by her swift and cutting retort

Q: In what contexts can 'discomfit' take the place of 'embarrass'?

The meanings of discomfit and embarrass largely overlap; however, discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion. // hecklers discomfited the speaker

Q: When would 'disconcert' be a good substitute for 'embarrass'?

While in some cases nearly identical to embarrass , disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy. // disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

Q: Where would 'rattle' be a reasonable alternative to 'embarrass'?

The words rattle and embarrass can be used in similar contexts, but rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment. // rattled by all the television cameras

embarrass

verb

im-ˈber-əs

Definition of embarrass

as in to confuse

to throw into a state of self-conscious distress the modest young soldiers were embarrassed by the public praise for their heroism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of a lot of this paperwork is unnecessary and just embarrasses the organization

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to complicate

to make complex or difficult claims that the new government regulations will needlessly embarrass the operations of small businesses in the state

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb embarrass contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of embarrass are abash, discomfit, disconcert, and rattle. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

When might abash be a better fit than embarrass?

The synonyms abash and embarrass are sometimes interchangeable, but abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

In what contexts can discomfit take the place of embarrass?

The meanings of discomfit and embarrass largely overlap; however, discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When would disconcert be a good substitute for embarrass?

While in some cases nearly identical to embarrass, disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

Where would rattle be a reasonable alternative to embarrass?

The words rattle and embarrass can be used in similar contexts, but rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of embarrass Many of the voters of the other political parties have been lending him their support, partly in the hope of embarrassing Farage. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Spreading a rumor or creating a fake account to embarrass someone can cause lasting harm. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Anthrax, Sublime, and Red Hot Chili Peppers were easy and often embarrassing examples, but the funky waka-waka guitar sound extended to Rage Against the Machine, Green Jellÿ, and Suicidal Tendencies (and their side project, Infectious Grooves). — Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026 The operation has brought a fuel crisis that is embarrassing the Kremlin more than four years after Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbor. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for embarrass

Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrass

Verb

Then began the desperate, confusing search for their colleagues.

— Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Summary Founders frequently misjudge their business's worth, often confusing revenue with actual value.

— Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of confuse

Verb

Cornstarch can create issues like clogging sprayers, impeding root growth, or interfering with leaf function.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
But Blanche played down concerns that the erosion of judicial trust could impede his efforts to advance his agenda.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of impede

Verb

Bond yields Persistent inflation, tariffs and whipsawing gas prices are not the only obstacles complicating the task for the Fed.

— Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Beijing — Already harrowing rescue efforts along the China-Nepal border are being complicated by the risk of new flooding or landslides, with authorities in China and Nepal pausing rescue efforts Friday due to those fears.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of complicate

Verb

That means making choices that support fertility, not hinder it — like getting regular exercise or cutting out cannabis, nicotine and alcohol.

— Andee Tagle, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
Dodson and Rodriguez had been competing for the starting spot opposite Brooks, but injuries to that unit had watered down the competition and hindered the evaluation process.

— Omar Kelly August 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of hinder

Verb

As families wait for news about their relatives, damaged roads, power outages and fears of further flooding have hampered rescue efforts.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Analysts point out that on one hand, droughts can hamper hydroelectric generation, while high temperatures raise cooling demand and strain power grids.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hamper

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“Embarrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrass. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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