Thesaurus
awkward
awkward
adjective
Definition of AWKWARD
1
lacking social grace and assurance <preteens feeling awkward at their first formal dance>
Synonyms clumsy, gauche, graceless, inelegant, rough-hewn, rustic (also rustical), stiff, stilted, uncomfortable, uneasy, ungraceful, wooden
Related Words angular, gawky, lubberly, ungainly; boorish, clownish, uncouth; abashed, discomfited, discomforted, discomposed, disconcerted, discountenanced, embarrassed; self-conscious; agitated, bothered, chagrined, dismayed, disquieted, distressed, disturbed, fazed, flustered, jittery, jumpy, mortified, nervous, nonplussed (also nonplused), perturbed, rattled, unhinged, unsettled, upset; diffident, insecure, meek, modest, self-doubting, timid, unassertive, unassuming, unpretentious
Near Antonyms assured, calm, collected, composed, confident, cool, placid, poised, secure, self-assured, self-confident, self-possessed, serene, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed
2
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation) <her awkward handling of the seating arrangements at the wedding reception resulted in many hurt feelings>
Related Words amateur, amateurish, crude, green, incompetent, ineffectual, inefficient, inexperienced, unpolished, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful; careless, sloppy, tacky, tactless, undiplomatic; ill-advised, ineffective, ineffectual, misdirected, misguided
Near Antonyms able, accomplished, adept, capable, clever, competent, consummate, crackerjack, expert, masterful, masterly, polished, professional, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented; diplomatic, easy, effortless, gracious, smooth, tactful
3
causing embarrassment <the awkward situation of having to listen as your host and hostess quarrel loudly in the next room>
Related Words confusing, difficult, disagreeable, impossible, inconvenient, intolerable, troublesome, unpleasant, unwieldy; unsettling; debasing, degrading, demeaning, humbling, humiliating, mortifying
4
causing difficulty, discomfort, or annoyance <our surprise guests came at a very awkward time>
Related Words bothersome, burdensome, onerous, troublesome; annoying, disturbing, exasperating, frustrating, galling, irksome, irritating, maddening, nagging, nettlesome, riling, vexatious, vexing
Near Antonyms acceptable, bearable, endurable, sufferable, tolerable; advantageous, desirable, good, helpful
Antonyms convenient, ultraconvenient
5
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design <that manual can opener is awkward to hold>
Synonyms awkward, bunglesome, clumsy, clunky, cranky, cumbrous, ponderous, ungainly, unhandy, unwieldy
Related Words uncontrollable, unmanageable; bulky, dinosaurian, dinosauric, elephantine, heavy, hulking, massive; impracticable, impractical
Antonyms handy
6
having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner <an awkward person who is always tripping over herself>
Related Words galumphing, larruping [dialect], lubberly, lumbering, lumpish, shambling, shuffling, unsteady, wobbly (also wabbly)
Near Antonyms light, light-footed (also light-foot), lissome (also lissom), lithe, nimble, sure-footed
Antonyms coordinated, graceful
7
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands <an awkward catch of a fly ball>
Synonyms awkward, butterfingered, cack-handed [British], graceless, ham-fisted, ham-handed, handless, heavy-handed, left-handed, maladroit, unhandy
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