tr.v., -rassed, -rass·ing, -rass·es.
- To cause to feel self-conscious or ill at ease; disconcert: Meeting adults embarrassed the shy child.
- To involve in or hamper with financial difficulties.
- To hinder with obstacles or difficulties; impede.
- To complicate.
- To interfere with (a bodily function) or impede the function of (a body part).
[French embarrasser, to encumber, hamper, from Spanish embarazar, from Italian imbarazzare, from imbarazzo, obstacle, obstruction, from imbarrare, to block, bar : in-, in (from Latin; see en-1) + barra, bar (from Vulgar Latin *barra).]
embarrassedly em·bar'rassed·ly adv.embarrassingly em·bar'rass·ing·ly adv.
SYNONYMS embarrass, abash, chagrin, discomfit, disconcert, faze, rattle. These verbs mean to cause someone to feel self-conscious and uneasy: were embarrassed by their child's tantrum; felt abashed at the extravagant praise; will be chagrined if my confident prediction fails; was discomfited by the sudden personal question; is disconcerted by sarcastic remarks; refuses to be fazed by your objections; isn't easily rattled before an audience.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
