Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Embarrass \Em*bar"rass\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Embarrassed}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Embarrassing}.] [F. embarrasser (cf. Sp.
   embarazar, Pg. embara?ar, 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
      perplex; to discompose; to disconcert; as, laughter may
      embarrass an orator.

   2. To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to
      obstruct; as, business is embarrassed; public affairs are
      embarrassed.

   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.

Source : WordNet®

embarrassing
     adj 1: hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment;
            "awkward (or embarrassing or difficult) moments in the
            discussion"; "an awkward pause followed his remark";
            "a sticky question"; "in the unenviable position of
            resorting to an act he had planned to save for the
            climax of the campaign" [syn: {awkward}, {sticky}, {unenviable}]
     2: causing to feel shame or chagrin or vexation; "the
        embarrassing moment when she found her petticoat down
        around her ankles"; "it was mortifying to know he had
        heard every word" [syn: {mortifying}]