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

Carlos Espi, their most under-the-radar summer signing from Levante, scored in the 90th minute to secure a 2-1 victory against an Espanyol side who made life uncomfortable after half-time. — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Those conspiracy theories, Wagner said, are often ways of looking at the world that provide answers to questions when an outcome is too uncomfortable for people. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

And the evidence that this is dangerous, not merely uncomfortable, is now substantial and growing. — Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

David, art celebrates rebellion aesthetically, but society often becomes uncomfortable when the artist expresses genuine ideological disagreement. — Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 22 Aug. 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