uncomfortable

adjective

un·​com·​fort·​able

ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl, 

-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-bəl, 

-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-bəl 

-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-bəl, 

-ˈkəm-fər-bəl, 

-ˈkəm-fə-bəl

1

: causing discomfort or annoyance

an uncomfortable chair

an uncomfortable performance

2

: feeling discomfort : uneasy

was uncomfortable with them

uncomfortably

ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-blē, 

-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-blē, 

-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-blē 

-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-blē, 

-ˈkəm-fər-blē, 

-ˈkəm-fə-blē

adverb

Synonyms of uncomfortable

• harsh
• sore
• awkward
• painful
• miserable
• discomforting
• torturous
• comfortless
• disturbing

Examples of uncomfortable in a Sentence

You look uncomfortable in that chair. Would you like to sit here instead?

The silence went on so long that it became very uncomfortable.

We were in the uncomfortable position of asking for money.

I was uncomfortable about talking to them.

She's uncomfortable being in the spotlight.

Recent Examples on the Web

Recent losses, outside criticism and a sense that the team’s identity has strayed from its original path have left LAFC in an uncomfortable position. —Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026

Academic scrutiny of the UK reforms has reached an even more uncomfortable conclusion. —Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

Who Shouldn’t Try 4-7-8 Breathing Without Checking First The 7-second breath hold can feel uncomfortable for beginners or anyone with limited lung capacity. —Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 23 May 2026

Giving the AS90s to Ukraine has produced an uncomfortable gap that needs filling, so the call went out to vendors to come up with a proper replacement. —David Szondy may 23, New Atlas, 23 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for uncomfortable

• comfortable

Kids Definition

uncomfortable

adjective

un·​com·​fort·​able ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə(r)-bəl 

-ˈkəm(p)-fə(r)t-ə-bəl, 

ˈən-

1

: causing discomfort

an uncomfortable chair

2

: feeling discomfort : uneasy

uncomfortably

-blē 

adverb