v.
Pronunciation: im- ' ber- ə s, - ' ba-r ə s
Function: verb
Etymology: French embarrasser, from Spanish embarazar, from Portuguese embaraçar, from em- (fr. Latin in- ) + baraça noose
Date: 1672
transitive verb
1 a : to place in doubt, perplexity, or difficulties b : to involve in financial difficulties c : to cause to experience a state of self-conscious distress <bawdy stories embarrass ed him>
2 a : to hamper the movement of b : HINDER , IMPEDE
3 : to make intricate : COMPLICATE
4 : to impair the activity of (a bodily function) or the function of (a bodily part) <digestion embarrass ed by overeating>
intransitive verb : to become anxiously self-conscious <he embarrass es easily>
– em · bar · rass · able \ - ə -s ə -b ə l \ adjective
synonyms EMBARRASS , DISCOMFIT , ABASH , DISCONCERT , RATTLE mean to distress by confusing or confounding. EMBARRASS implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action < embarrassed to admit that she liked the movie>. DISCOMFIT implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion <hecklers discomfited the speaker>. 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>. DISCONCERT implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy < disconcerted by finding so many in attendance>. RATTLE implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment < rattled by all the television cameras>.