Embarrassed

Feeling or showing a sense of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness; made to feel uncomfortable or ashamed. It often stems from a perceived social blunder, failure, or violation of social norms. The intensity of embarrassment can range from a mild blush to overwhelming feelings of humiliation and the desire to disappear. It can be triggered by a variety of situations, from accidental slips of the tongue to public criticism or exposure. The emotion often involves a sense of vulnerability and a concern for how others perceive you. It can manifest physically, such as blushing or fidgeting, and can have social consequences, affecting self-esteem and future interactions.

Embarrassed meaning with examples

• He felt deeply embarrassed when he tripped and spilled his drink all over the guest of honor at the party. He stammered out an apology, his face flushed with shame and he prayed the floor would swallow him whole. Everyone stopped talking and watched as he scrambled to clean up the mess, mortified by the sudden silence.
• Sarah was embarrassed by her mother's overly enthusiastic greeting in front of her new boyfriend's family. Mom's loud, affectionate display contrasted sharply with the composed demeanor of her future in-laws, leaving Sarah red-faced.
• After forgetting her lines during the play's opening night, the actress was intensely embarrassed. The awkward silence that followed as she stood frozen on stage was almost unbearable, making her want to run off and never come back. The rest of the performance would be a hard one to go through.
• She was embarrassed when she realized she had sent the private email intended for her friend to her entire mailing list. The thought of everyone reading her personal thoughts made her cringe and she quickly drafted a retraction message to contain the damage.
• John was embarrassed by the dilapidated condition of his old car when he offered his neighbor a ride, especially when it was compared to their luxury vehicles. He quickly became apologetic for the state of the car and was uncomfortable with the experience.
• The candidate was embarrassed about not having a clear understanding of the current national debt when asked about the economy in front of the press. His hesitancy gave his opponents fuel to make an effective point and further question his abilities.