According to researchers, most of the embarrassments that are encountered by people include instances of tripping and falling, spilling drinks, ripping pants, stalling cars, having one's private thoughts or feelings disclosed, accidental flatulence or belching, receiving undesired attention, and forgetting the names of others (Keltner & Buswell, 1996; Miller, 1992; Miller & Tangney, 1994; Saltier, 1966).

Potential sources of embarrassment include particular thoughts, feelings, or dispositions; actions or behaviours such as belching or nose picking; conditions or states such as a bodily blemish or an open fly; possessions such as our car or house; and relations such as our oafish partner, criminal uncle, lecherous aunt, or insolent child.

Examples of embarrassment in a Sentence She couldn't hide her embarrassment. The scandal was a major embarrassment for the government. He's an embarrassment to his family.

The scandal was a major embarrassment for the government. She couldn't hide her embarrassment. He's an embarrassment to his family. But the pangs of embarrassment and shame takes longer to go away. —