Awkward-Embarrassing | Commonly Confused Words

Awkward

/ˈɔːkwəd/

Feeling or creating a sense of discomfort or embarrassment due to clumsiness or lack of social grace

A pause ensued, in which the schoolmaster looked very awkward.'It's infernally awkward."I'm afraid I'm too awkward, maybe.

/ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ/

Something that makes you feel awkward or ashamed

I said, after a rather embarrassing pause.The fall at the party was quite embarrassing.His attempt to dance was awkwardly embarrassing.

Awkward is often associated with physical discomfort or clumsiness, whereas embarrassing relates more to a sense of shame or humiliation.
Think of awkward as the way someone moves or interacts when they are not confident, like clumsy or uncoordinated actions.
Embarrassing involves situations that cause you to feel self-conscious or mortified, like saying something inappropriate at a formal event.
An awkward situation might cause social discomfort, but an embarrassing one causes a more intense, personal discomfort.
Awkward moments might be slightly uncomfortable but not necessarily personal, while embarrassing moments are more likely to impact your feelings of pride or self-esteem.