embarrasses
Makes one flush
Embarrasses means to cause someone to feel self-conscious, awkward, or ashamed.
A parent embarrasses a teenager by dancing at the school event.
A public mistake embarrasses a politician.
The word can also mean to create difficulties: The scandal embarrasses the administration's reform agenda.
What embarrasses varies by person and culture—some are embarrassed by praise, others only by criticism.
Lacking grace or ease
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- flusteredNervously upset and confused
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
- mortifiedIntensely embarrassed
cringe · faux pas · gaffe · blunder · misstep · tactless · gaucherie · social gaffe
Cause painful shame
- mortifyCause severe embarrassment
- disgraceLoss of honor
- dishonorLoss of respect
- degradeLower in standing
demean · abase · belittle · ridicule · stigmatize · discredit · indignity · ignominy
Facial reddening from emotion
- flushSame suit, five cards
- reddenGrow rosy in hue
- crimsonDeep purplish-red shade
- scarletBright orangish-red color
rosy cheeks · heat · warmth · sweating · stammering · squirming · averting eyes · nervous laugh
Feeling guilt and disgrace
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- regretfulFeeling sorrow over actions
- apologeticExpressing regret for wrongdoing
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
sheepish · chagrined · rueful · conscience-stricken · self-reproach · culpable · sorry · penitent
Obstruct or delay
- impedeTo obstruct movement
- complicateMake more difficult
- hamperObstruct or clothes basket
- encumberTo burden or hinder
handicap · burden · constrain · compromise · undermine · weaken · disadvantage
awkward
Lacking grace or ease
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- flusteredNervously upset and confused
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
mortified · cringe · faux pas · gaffe · blunder · misstep · tactless · gaucherie · social gaffe · awkward silence
humiliate
Cause painful shame
degrade · demean · abase · belittle · ridicule · stigmatize · discredit · indignity · ignominy · discomfiture
blush
Facial reddening from emotion
scarlet · rosy cheeks · heat · warmth · sweating · stammering · squirming · averting eyes · nervous laugh · fidgeting
ashamed
Feeling guilt and disgrace
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- regretfulFeeling sorrow over actions
- apologeticExpressing regret for wrongdoing
contrite · sheepish · chagrined · rueful · conscience-stricken · self-reproach · culpable · sorry · penitent · hangdog
hinder
Obstruct or delay
- impedeTo obstruct movement
- complicateMake more difficult
- hamperObstruct or clothes basket
encumber · handicap · burden · constrain · compromise · undermine · weaken · disadvantage
- embarrassing momentSocially awkward incident
- embarrassment of richesOverwhelming surplus of desirable things
- secondhand embarrassmentCringing for another person
- vicarious embarrassmentDiscomfort from others' awkwardness
- social embarrassmentShame before others
- fear of embarrassmentAnxiety about humiliation
embarrass, embarrassed, embarrassing, embarrassment, unembarrassed, unembarrassing