Embarrassing

Embarrassing
Embarrass Em*bar"rass ([e^]m*b[a^]r"ras), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Embarrassed} ([e^]m*b[a^]r"rast); p. pr. & vb. n. {Embarrassing}.] [F. embarrasser (cf. Sp. embarazar, Pg. embara[,c]ar, Pr. barras bar); pref. em- (L. in) + LL. barra bar. See {Bar}.] 1. To hinder from freedom of thought, speech, or action by something which impedes or confuses mental action; to make (a person) unpleasantly self-conscious; to perplex; to discompose; to disconcert; as, laughter may embarrass an orator. [WordNet sense 1]

Syn: abash, discompose, disconcert, discomfit, chagrin. [1913 Webster +PJC]

2. To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to obstruct; as, business is embarrassed; public affairs are embarrassed. [WordNet sense 2]

Syn: obstruct, blockade, block, hinder, stymie. [1913 Webster]

3. (Com.) To involve in difficulties concerning money matters; to incumber with debt; to beset with urgent claims or demands; -- said of a person or his affairs; as, a man or his business is embarrassed when he can not meet his pecuniary engagements.

Syn: To hinder; perplex; entangle; confuse; puzzle; disconcert; abash; distress. -- To {Embarrass}, {Puzzle}, {Perplex}. We are puzzled when our faculties are confused by something we do not understand. We are perplexed when our feelings, as well as judgment, are so affected that we know not how to decide or act. We are embarrassed when there is some bar or hindrance upon us which impedes our powers of thought, speech, or motion. A schoolboy is puzzled by a difficult sum; a reasoner is perplexed by the subtleties of his opponent; a youth is sometimes so embarrassed before strangers as to lose his presence of mind. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • embarrassing — adj. 1. hard to deal with; as, greeted with an embarrassing silence. Syn: awkward, disconcerting, off putting, sticky, tight, unenviable. [WordNet 1.5] 2. causing to feel shame or chagrin or vexation. Syn: mortifying, shame making. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • embarrassing — [adj] humiliating, shaming awkward, bewildering, compromising, confusing, delicate, difficult, disagreeable, discomfiting, discommoding, discommodious, disconcerting, distracting, distressing, disturbing, equivocal, exasperating, impossible,… …   New thesaurus

  • embarrassing — adj. 1) embarrassing to + inf. (it was embarrassing to fail the exam) 2) embarrassing that + clause (it s embarrassing that our streets are so dirty) * * * [ɪm bærəsɪŋ] embarrassing to + inf. (it was embarrassing to fail the exam) embarrassing… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • embarrassing — adj. VERBS ▪ be, prove, sound ▪ become, get ▪ make sth ▪ My mother s presence made the situation even more embarrassing …   Collocations dictionary

  • embarrassing — [[t]ɪmbæ̱rəsɪŋ[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED Something that is embarrassing makes you feel shy or ashamed. That was an embarrassing situation for me... Men find it embarrassing to be honest. Syn: uncomfortable, awkward Derived words: embarrassingly ADV… …   English dictionary

  • embarrassing */ — UK [ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ] / US [ɪmˈberəsɪŋ] adjective 1) a) making you feel nervous, ashamed, or stupid The situation was most embarrassing. I wish he wouldn t ask such embarrassing questions. b) used for describing something that is very bad This… …   English dictionary

  • embarrassing — em|bar|ras|sing [ımˈbærəsıŋ] adj making you feel ashamed, nervous, or uncomfortable ▪ She asked a lot of embarrassing questions . ▪ an embarrassing situation embarrassing for ▪ This incident is deeply embarrassing for the government.… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • embarrassing — em|bar|rass|ing [ ım berəsıŋ ] adjective * 1. ) making you feel nervous, ashamed, or stupid: The situation was most embarrassing. I wish he wouldn t ask such embarrassing questions. a ) used for describing something that is very bad: This… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • embarrassing — adjective 1. hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment (Freq. 3) awkward (or embarrassing or difficult) moments in the discussion an awkward pause followed his remark a sticky question in the unenviable position of resorting to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • embarrassing — adjective making you feel ashamed, nervous, or uncomfortable: The firm wants to avoid any embarrassing questions about its finances. embarrassingly adverb …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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