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vicarious embarrassment

Noun CEFR B2

Definitions

The uncomfortable sympathetic feeling experienced while watching someone else embarrass themselves.

countable, uncountable

Equivalents

8 more languages

Examples

“It is noted that vicarious embarrassment does not necessarily indicate⟳ the presence of an embarrassed other.”
“The same brain regions, the study⟳ found, are implicated in vicarious embarrassment – watching President Obama give⟳ an awkward hug of his own⟳ to departing press⟳ secretary Jay Carney, say⟳ – as they are when empathizing with the physical pain of others.”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
See all B2 English words →

See also

vicarious learning vicarious liability vicarious punishment vicarious reinforcement Vicariously Vicariousness

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