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

Antonyms graceful, suave, urbane

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>

Synonyms botched, bungling, clumsy, fumbled, inept, inexpert, maladroit

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

Antonyms adroit, deft, dexterous (also dextrous), facile

3

causing embarrassment <the awkward situation of having to listen as your host and hostess quarrel loudly in the next room>

Synonyms discomfiting, disconcerting, disturbing, embarrassing, flustering, uncomfortable

Related Words confusing, difficult, disagreeable, impossible, inconvenient, intolerable, troublesome, unpleasant, unwieldy; unsettling; debasing, degrading, demeaning, humbling, humiliating, mortifying

Near Antonyms agreeable, comfortable, convenient, pleasing

4

causing difficulty, discomfort, or annoyance <our surprise guests came at a very awkward time>

Synonyms awkward, discommoding, disobliging, incommoding

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

Near Antonyms functional, practicable, practical, serviceable, useful

Antonyms handy

6

having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner <an awkward person who is always tripping over herself>

Synonyms awkward, gawkish, gawky, graceless, klutzy, uncoordinated, ungainly

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

Related Words uncoordinated; bunglesome, bungling, gauche, inept, inexpert, unskilled, unskillful

Near Antonyms expert, masterly, skilled, skillful; coordinated

Antonyms deft, dexterous (also dextrous), handy, sure-handed