1
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
preteens feeling awkward at their first formal dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clumsy
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment
the awkward situation of having to listen as your host and hostess quarrel loudly in the next room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in annoying
causing difficulty, discomfort, or annoyance
our surprise guests came at a very awkward time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in cumbersome
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design
that manual can opener is awkward to hold
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in unsteady
having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner
an awkward person who is always tripping over herself
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in unhandy
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands
an awkward catch of a fly ball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of awkward
Happily Ever After, things get heated between the two during an awkward car ride.
—
Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Lauren Meyering explores the phenomenon through the lens of a socially awkward 26-year-old aiming to prove her independence and win her first competition.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 10 Oct. 2025
Arnett and Dern so fully inhabit their characters that nothing about that awkward encounter feels false.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
There is no right moment, and the early scenes are about fumbling steps and the tentativeness of awkward new roles.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Lauren Meyering explores the phenomenon through the lens of a socially awkward 26-year-old aiming to prove her independence and win her first competition.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 10 Oct. 2025
Arnett and Dern so fully inhabit their characters that nothing about that awkward encounter feels false.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
There is no right moment, and the early scenes are about fumbling steps and the tentativeness of awkward new roles.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
-
Pay close attention to signs that a new sweater is uncomfortable or causing your dog pain.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Taking their uncomfortable seats were Josh Greenstein, president of marketing and production; Sanford Panitch, president of production; and Steven O’Dell, president of international marketing.—
Jay Glennie,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Arturs Silovs looked a bit clumsy in the first period and his rebound control was less than stellar.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Actually, Alma does suffer from ulcers, which cause her extraordinary stomach pain and vomiting at inconvenient moments, and cause viewers to wonder not if but when such clumsy symbolic traits will be trotted out in the future.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Both teams boast impressive defenses, but the Bills are coming off an embarrassing loss to a divisional rival last week that shattered hopes of an undefeated season.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Just writing that is embarrassing.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Glass water repellent acts as a protective barrier that causes rain droplets or water to roll away instead of drying and sticking to your glass (then causing those annoying spots).—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
-
They were not allowed to stay in private homes — annoying for sometime Paris resident Serena Williams — but could eat out at Paris restaurants.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Westonetek Add-a-bag Luggage Strap, 2-pack Flight attendants also love this luggage strap for their own cumbersome travel loads.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Big, cumbersome, and greasy, baking sheets can be a pain to clean and dry off.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The shock to Hal and Kate’s equilibrium, already unsteady to begin with, is even more rewarding.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The senator seemed unsteady, but got up and kept walking with the help of his detail.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This uneasy detente between Matty and Olympia drives much of the rest of this episode’s plot.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Wichita police are asking for the public’s help identifying a woman reportedly taken by force early Sunday morning — an incident that has left neighbors uneasy.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Injuries have swept through the league, and inexperienced or ill-fitting players have been forced into service as special-teams blockers.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Scaloni, whose team finished in first place in South American World Cup qualifying, was using Friday’s match, and the Tuesday match against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium, to integrate some of the younger and inexperienced players on the roster.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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