embarrass

n. Freedom from embarrassment. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Embarrassed p. pr. & vb. n. Embarrassing. ] [ F. embarrasser (cf. Sp. embarazar, Pg. embaraçar, Pr. barras bar); pref. em- (L. in) + LL. barra bar. See Bar. ] 1. To hinder from freedom of thought, speech, or action by something which impedes or confuses mental action; to make (a person) unpleasantly self-conscious; to perplex; to discompose; to disconcert; as, laughter may embarrass an orator. [ wns=1 ]
Syn. -- abash, discompose, disconcert, discomfit, chagrin. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

2. To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to obstruct; as, business is embarrassed; public affairs are embarrassed. [ wns=2 ]
Syn. -- obstruct, blockade, block, hinder, stymie. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Com.) To involve in difficulties concerning money matters; to incumber with debt; to beset with urgent claims or demands; -- said of a person or his affairs; as, a man or his business is embarrassed when he can not meet his pecuniary engagements.

Syn. -- To hinder; perplex; entangle; confuse; puzzle; disconcert; abash; distress. -- To Embarrass, Puzzle, Perplex. We are puzzled when our faculties are confused by something we do not understand. We are perplexed when our feelings, as well as judgment, are so affected that we know not how to decide or act. We are embarrassed when there is some bar or hindrance upon us which impedes our powers of thought, speech, or motion. A schoolboy is puzzled by a difficult sum; a reasoner is perplexed by the subtleties of his opponent; a youth is sometimes so embarrassed before strangers as to lose his presence of mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. embarras. See Embarrass, v. t. ] Embarrassment. [ Obs. ] Bp. Warburton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. feeling uneasily or unpleasantly self-conscious due to some event or circumstance; as, she was embarrassed by her child's tantrums.
Syn. -- abashed, self-conscious. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. feeling inferior or unworthy and hence unpleasantly self-conscious; as, too embarrassed to say hello to his drunken father on the street.
Syn. -- chagrined, mortified. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. 1. hard to deal with; as, greeted with an embarrassing silence.
Syn. -- awkward, disconcerting, off-putting, sticky, tight, unenviable. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. causing to feel shame or chagrin or vexation.
Syn. -- mortifying, shame-making. [ WordNet 1.5 ]