different between embarrassing vs cringeworthy

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, NYC) IPA^(key): /?m?bæ??s??/
• (General American, Mary–marry–merry merger) IPA^(key): /?m?b???s??/
• Hyphenation: em?bar?rass?ing

Verb

embarrassing

1. present participle of embarrass

Noun

embarrassing (usually uncountable, plural embarrassings)

1. The action of the verb to embarrass; embarrassment.
   • May 11, 1715, Robert Wodrow, letter to Mrs Wodrow

     It seemed, at first, to be agreed, that the King should be addressed by the Assembly; but the time of presenting, because of the present embarrassings of affairs, to be left to the Commission.

Adjective

embarrassing (comparative more embarrassing, superlative most embarrassing)

1. Causing embarrassment; leading to a feeling of uncomfortable shame or self-consciousness.

Synonyms

• awkward
• shameful

Derived terms

• embarrassingly

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• cringe-worthy

Etymology

cringe +? -worthy

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?k??nd??w??ð.i/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?k??nd??w?ð.i/

Adjective

cringeworthy (comparative more cringeworthy, superlative most cringeworthy)

1. (colloquial) That causes one to cringe with embarrassment; embarrassing.

Synonyms

• cringy
• squirmworthy
• winceworthy

Derived terms

• cringeworthily
• cringeworthiness

Translations