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 Neither party acted on it; Republicans wanted to avoid embarrassing Trump, while Democrats wanted to avoid embarrassing Nancy Pelosi, whose husband is an active trader. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026 Ryan Clark once again accused ESPN of leaking the news of his firing to OutKick to embarrass him. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Yeah, the Cardinals — led by rookie head coach Mike LaFleur, the Rams’ former offensive coordinator — embarrassed the Bolts at home. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Others, especially those that embarrass senior officials or reveal dysfunction, are more likely to prompt formal investigation. — Brian O'Neill, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for embarrass

Recent Examples of Synonyms for embarrass

Verb

At last week's race in Azerbaijan, Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas crashed on the last lap and reportedly blamed it on the software becoming confused and affecting his braking.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
Immigrant parents there wanted help writing to their kids’ teachers and making sense of confusing forms.

— Steven Choi, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of confuse

Verb

Iran war complicates interest rate debate Earlier this year, the FOMC wrestled with lowering rates versus holding them steady despite higher prices.

— Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
The United Arab Emirates has canceled all flights to Israel, complicating travel for hundreds of passengers who fly between the countries on a typical day.

— Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of complicate

Verb

Those ideas been ruled out, however, due to the possibility that people would not secure the helmets correctly and that closed cars would hinder emergency evacuations.

— Lynette Rice, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
The assassination of local councilwoman Marielle Franco inspired some Black women to run for office, Matos Almeida said, but political violence and insufficient resources continue to hinder the participation of women in politics.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of hinder

Verb

California‘s seven Supreme Court justices appeared by turns perplexed by and incredulous of those theories during oral arguments last month.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
They were perplexed at first, flummoxed, but pleasant, and unfortunately for them, already long gone from the airport.

— Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of perplex

Verb

Front-line workers have gone on strike several times since the outbreak began, further hampering efforts to contain the disease.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Bankers and lawyers here in Riyadh worry, though, that the latest effort, rather than fueling a revival of the Tadawul, may hamper it.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of hamper

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“Embarrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embarrass. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of embarrass

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