1
a
: lacking dexterity or skill (as in the use of hands)
I'm awkward with a needle and thread.
b
: showing the result of a lack of expertness
an awkward attempt
awkward pictures
2
3
a
: lacking social grace and assurance
an awkward newcomer
b
: causing embarrassment
an awkward moment
4
: not easy to handle or deal with : requiring great skill, ingenuity, or care
an awkward load
an awkward diplomatic situation
5
obsolete
: perverse
6
archaic
: unfavorable, adverse
awkwardly
adverb
awkwardness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of awkward in a Sentence
I was electrified by what I learned in college. Still socially awkward, I had the bad habit of stopping strangers in the street to pour my heart out about the latest marvel I had learned.
—
Jaron Lanier, Curious Minds, (2004) 2005
Greene must have known that such men would not spill the beans about his irregular life or ask awkward questions, though Burgess famously teased him for being … a poseur, and was banished.
—Paul Theroux, New York Times Book Review, 17 Oct. 2004
On the ground, vultures are hunched and awkward bundles of feathers, but in the air, where I watch them during much of the day, they are magnificent graceful soarers.
—Words From the Land, Stephen Trimble, editor, 1988
She is awkward at dancing.
He had large feet and his walk was awkward and ungainly.
The story contained some awkward writing.
She is an awkward writer.
The machine is very awkward to operate.
I often find myself in awkward situations.
He was put in the awkward position of having to write the memo.
There was an awkward pause in the conversation.
He feels awkward with strangers.
Jaron Lanier, Curious Minds, (2004) 2005
Greene must have known that such men would not spill the beans about his irregular life or ask awkward questions, though Burgess famously teased him for being … a poseur, and was banished.
—Paul Theroux, New York Times Book Review, 17 Oct. 2004
On the ground, vultures are hunched and awkward bundles of feathers, but in the air, where I watch them during much of the day, they are magnificent graceful soarers.
—Words From the Land, Stephen Trimble, editor, 1988
She is awkward at dancing.
He had large feet and his walk was awkward and ungainly.
The story contained some awkward writing.
She is an awkward writer.
The machine is very awkward to operate.
I often find myself in awkward situations.
He was put in the awkward position of having to write the memo.
There was an awkward pause in the conversation.
He feels awkward with strangers.
Recent Examples on the Web
While Swift's lyric appears to be a reference to growing up in the music industry, fans have shared the lyric to joke about tough moments, ranging from buying concert tickets to recalling awkward moments on TV shows.
—USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Morgan deploys some awkward exposition to orient audiences whose knowledge of the mammoth Eastern European nation might not amount to more than a handful of recent headlines.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2024
And the tone of the piece, with unsettling and awkward humor and an unnecessary death scene, wobbles at times.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
That’s normal—and don’t quit on the first awkward try.
—Donavyn Coffey, TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
On her talk show, Barrymore recalled her gut reaction to executives who said the awkward character wasn't pretty enough.
—Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
Six foot one and awkward and imposing, the blunt yet affable middle-aged geneticist had broad shoulders, a hefty mustache, and a prominent bald forehead that forced his bushy eyebrows downward at the seeming expense of his eyes.
—Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
Tyler used the Coachella stage to address the clip, explaining that the situation left him feeling awkward.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 14 Apr. 2024
Koji Steven Sakai, Capaldi and Paul Aniello’s script feels like an awkward compromise between competing visions, as well as somewhat inorganic multinational casting.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Morgan deploys some awkward exposition to orient audiences whose knowledge of the mammoth Eastern European nation might not amount to more than a handful of recent headlines.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2024
And the tone of the piece, with unsettling and awkward humor and an unnecessary death scene, wobbles at times.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
That’s normal—and don’t quit on the first awkward try.
—Donavyn Coffey, TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
On her talk show, Barrymore recalled her gut reaction to executives who said the awkward character wasn't pretty enough.
—Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
Six foot one and awkward and imposing, the blunt yet affable middle-aged geneticist had broad shoulders, a hefty mustache, and a prominent bald forehead that forced his bushy eyebrows downward at the seeming expense of his eyes.
—Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
Tyler used the Coachella stage to address the clip, explaining that the situation left him feeling awkward.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 14 Apr. 2024
Koji Steven Sakai, Capaldi and Paul Aniello’s script feels like an awkward compromise between competing visions, as well as somewhat inorganic multinational casting.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'awkward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awkward. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
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