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

Continue reading … BEHIND CAMERAS – Actress reveals uncomfortable truth about filming intimate Hollywood scenes. —FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Say goodbye to your uncomfortable jeans and switch to these travel pants instead. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 13 Nov. 2025

The uncomfortable scene begins with the group arriving separately at Coyote Pass, however no one gets out of their cars to face each other. —Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025

These foods can cause uncomfortable gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms for people who are lactose intolerant. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 13 Nov. 2025

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