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Imbarrass vs Embarrass - What's the difference?

imbarrass | embarrass |

As verbs the difference between imbarrass and embarrass

is that imbarrass is obsolete form of embarrass while embarrass is to humiliate; to disrupt somebody's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely; to disconcert; to abash.

imbarrass

English

Verb

(es)
  • * 1758 , Essays on the Principles of Morality and Natural Religion , Part II., essay VII., page #283:
    • Such intricate ca?es cannot fail to imbarra?s us.

    embarrass

    English

    Verb

    (es)
  • to humiliate; to disrupt somebody's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely; to disconcert; to abash
    • The crowd's laughter and jeers embarrassed him.
  • To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to obstruct.
    • Business is embarrassed'''; public affairs are '''embarrassed .
  • To involve in difficulties concerning money matters; to encumber with debt; to beset with urgent claims or demands.
    • A man or his business is embarrassed when he can not meet his pecuniary engagements.

    Synonyms

    * (humiliate) abash, discomfit, disconcert, humiliate, shame * See also

    Derived terms

    * embarrassment

    External links

    * *