EMBARRASS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does embarrass mean? 

• EMBARRASS (verb)
  The verb EMBARRASS has 2 senses:

1. cause to be embarrassed; cause to feel self-conscious

2. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of

  Familiarity information: EMBARRASS used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EMBARRASS (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they embarrass    ... he / she / it embarrasses   
Past simple: embarrassed   
Past participle: embarrassed   
-ing form: embarrassing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cause to be embarrassed; cause to feel self-conscious

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Synonyms:

abash; embarrass

Hypernyms (to "embarrass" is one way to...):

discomfit; discompose; disconcert; untune; upset (cause to lose one's composure)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "embarrass"):

confuse; disconcert; flurry; put off (cause to feel embarrassment)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence examples:

Sam cannot embarrass Sue
The performance is likely to embarrass Sue

Derivation:

embarrassment (some event that causes someone to be embarrassed)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

block; blockade; embarrass; hinder; obstruct; stymie; stymy

Context example:

His brother blocked him at every turn

Hypernyms (to "embarrass" is one way to...):

forbid; foreclose; forestall; preclude; prevent (keep from happening or arising; make impossible)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "embarrass"):

stonewall (obstruct or hinder any discussion)

filibuster (obstruct deliberately by delaying)

check (block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey)

hang (prevent from reaching a verdict, of a jury)

bottleneck (slow down or impede by creating an obstruction)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

 Context examples 

He was obviously embarrassed for an instant, while the Inspector raised his eyebrows, and Alec Cunningham burst into a laugh.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Situated as we are with Lady Dalrymple, cousins, we ought to be very careful not to embarrass her with acquaintance she might not approve.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

There was yet another point which Miss Tilney was anxious to settle, though somewhat embarrassed in speaking of.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

She had never had men look at her in such fashion, and it embarrassed her.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Being a little embarrassed at first, and feeling much too young to preside, I made Steerforth take the head of the table when dinner was announced, and seated myself opposite to him.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I couldn't, it was so embarrassing for me.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Such was the famous Lord John Roxton as he sat opposite to me, biting hard upon his cigar and watching me steadily in a long and embarrassing silence.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And upon Elizabeth's seeming really, with vexed and embarrassed looks, about to escape, she added: “Lizzy, I insist upon your staying and hearing Mr. Collins.”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Her two absent cousins, especially Maria, were much in her thoughts on seeing him; but no embarrassing remembrance affected his spirits.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)