Explanation

Recycle the clue embarrassing into the blank. Both assuaging and bolstering are nearly the opposite of what you’re looking for, so eliminate choices (B) and (E). The impact may be monumental, but that answer choice isn’t sufficiently negative, so eliminate choice (C); virulent, on the other hand is too strong, so eliminate choice (A). Both discomfiting and mortifying can mean embarrassing, so choices (D) and (F) give you appropriate, equivalent sentences.

Hence options D and F are correct!