gawkish

adjective

ˈgȯ-kish How to pronounce gawkish (audio)
Definition of gawkishnext
as in awkward
having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner the kind of gawkish girl who trips while receiving her high school diploma

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gawkish
  1. awkward
  2. clumsy
  3. unsteady
Adjective
  • Trump’s local appearances might present an awkward situation for some candidates who have sought to distance themselves from the president.
    — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In Sam’s case, his roaring egotism is somewhat awkward because he’s also obsessed with the idea of being altruistic.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of awkward
Adjective
  • As Ivan and Nina wrestle with their own emotional truths, which range from her mother Nora’s departure from their lives to Ivan’s clumsy recitations of Nina’s childhood antics, something alarming is afoot.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Here, his clumsy, winky, affected, and self-undercutting direction can’t even work the charming Jenna Ortega to a great performance, as her Klara is flattened into a bundle of manic pixie mannerisms both physical and verbal.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • Police said her breath reportedly smelled of alcohol, her speech was slightly slurred, her eyes were bloodshot, and her balance was unsteady.
    — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • At their meeting, Karmitz noticed that Zvyagintsev’s gait was still unsteady.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of unsteady
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

gawking
gawkish
gawkishness
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Cite this Entry

“Gawkish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gawkish. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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