Definition of: embarrass

(im·bar′əs) v.t.
1. To make ill at ease, self–conscious, and uncomfortable; abash; disconcert.
2. To involve in difficulties, especially in business.
3. To hamper; encumber.
4. To render difficult; complicate. [<F embarrasser <em- in (<L in-) + barre <OF BAR]
—em·bar′rass·ing adjective
—em·bar′·rass·ing·ly adverb Synonyms: abash, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, faze, hamper, hinder, impede, rattle. Embarrass implies some influence which impedes freedom of thought, speech, or action and refers to persons and things they plan to do. One is embarrassed in the presence of others, and because of their presence. Confusion is of the intellect, embarrassment of the feelings. A witness may be embarrassed by annoying personalities, so as to become confused in statements. As applied to mental action, a solitary thinker may be confused by some difficulty in a subject, or by some mental defect. Rattle is a colloquialism which implies a disorganization of one's mental processes. Faze is an Americanism usually found in negative expressions, but sometimes carries the implications of abash and rattle; as, Nothing can faze him. Hamper is used either literally or figuratively; as, hampered by debt; encumbered. Hinder is used in the sense of obstruction; as, Adverse winds hindered the ship. Compare ABASH, HINDER, INVOLVE, OBSTRUCT, PERPLEX. Antonyms: assure, cheer, compose, embolden, encourage, help, relieve, sustain.