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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
The pictures, show the tabby cat in the most awkward positions, from sitting like a frog, to biting his toenails, and just being generally goofy.
—
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
That awkward balance—strong investment but weak hiring— is now at the center of the Fed’s decision-making.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
In most situations, inquiring only puts someone in an awkward position.
—Julia Ries Wexler, SELF, 29 Oct. 2025
The lesser-knowns, who often appear recruited from the ranks of pro wrestling and so forth, provide some awkward thesping moments.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
That awkward balance—strong investment but weak hiring— is now at the center of the Fed’s decision-making.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
In most situations, inquiring only puts someone in an awkward position.
—Julia Ries Wexler, SELF, 29 Oct. 2025
The lesser-knowns, who often appear recruited from the ranks of pro wrestling and so forth, provide some awkward thesping moments.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
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Whether the show is about light slowly creeping in on the longest night or an uncomfortable journey someplace, somewhere, marching bands have only eight minutes to get through to each person’s soul.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Oct. 2025
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During an organized ghost-hunt weekend in 2018, the 41-year-old Connecticut resident was already feeling uncomfortable during the group’s exploration in the city’s historic downtown of the building that housed the Moon River Brewing Company, which has since closed.—
Aaron Sagers,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
What resulted is one of the most comic, counterproductive, and clumsy episodes in the long history of British efforts to deal with Ireland.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
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So, how did Musk go from a champion of the internet’s go-to reference resource to this clumsy attempt at killing it?—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
During Dallas' embarrassing 27-17 home loss to the Cardinals, legendary Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman took a shot at his former team during the broadcast and didn't think Dallas should even bother swinging a trade.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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Cuomo’s long resume and nostalgic campaign has kept his support steady despite an embarrassing primary defeat by Mamdani.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
For Blashill, the Blackhawks’ identity is being really, really annoying.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Sharon is extremely annoying, but my heart does break for her a tiny bit here.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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So any expansion to what is already a very archaic, cumbersome system will be very hard on small business owners in Michigan.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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However, with cloud environments constantly evolving, manually checking each requirement quickly becomes cumbersome.—
Daniel Fusch,
Ascend Agency,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Where Aytaç was large but poised, Abdi was insubstantial, scrawny, and unsteady on his feet.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
If something feels unsteady or on shaky ground, it will be revealed — not to break you, but to rebuild something stronger.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Across its run, The Witcher has traced the uneasy bond between Geralt of Rivia (Liam Hemsworth), the monster hunter bound by destiny; Ciri (Freya Allan), the princess whose power could save or destroy worlds; and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), the sorceress torn between ambition and love.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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In the Odyssey, Homer depicts Helen and Menelaus’s reunion as uneasy and sometimes tearful, after years of estrangement.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Senior defensive tackle Braxton Fely’s radar is already up at the chance of facing another inexperienced QB.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Oct. 2025
-
In doing so, Sonny mentors a talented but inexperienced rookie named Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) and brings an unconventional style of racing to the track.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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