embarrass

/im-ˈber-əs/

French embarrasser, from Spanish embarazar, from Portuguese embaraçar, from em- (from Latin in-) + baraça noose

verb

  1. to cause to experience a state of self-conscious distress

  2. to place in doubt, perplexity, or difficulties

  3. to involve in financial difficulties

bawdy stories embarrassed him

embarrass discomfit abash disconcert rattle mean to distress by confusing or confounding. embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action. discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.