1
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
preteens feeling awkward at their first formal dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
her awkward handling of the seating arrangements at the wedding reception resulted in many hurt feelings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment
the awkward situation of having to listen as your host and hostess quarrel loudly in the next room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in annoying
causing difficulty, discomfort, or annoyance
our surprise guests came at a very awkward time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in cumbersome
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design
that manual can opener is awkward to hold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in unsteady
having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner
an awkward person who is always tripping over herself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in unhandy
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands
an awkward catch of a fly ball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of awkward
Still unused to the reformer machine, my body felt the movements as not necessarily difficult but definitely awkward.
—
Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
The weak manufacturing numbers are proving awkward for a White House that has pledged an industrial boom.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Enzo Brumm, in his first major role, captures the awkward, floating energy of a youthful uncertainty and first love.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Jokic got it next, became the franchise’s GOAT, and cue the awkward.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
The weak manufacturing numbers are proving awkward for a White House that has pledged an industrial boom.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Enzo Brumm, in his first major role, captures the awkward, floating energy of a youthful uncertainty and first love.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Jokic got it next, became the franchise’s GOAT, and cue the awkward.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
-
The father said the priest asked about masturbation and pornography, and that his son was uncomfortable and reported it immediately after leaving church.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The content is absurd, borderline uncomfortable and consistently viral.—
Leeron Walter,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Chris and Emilia’s conversation is suddenly interrupted by a premature explosion, which was caused by a clumsy member of a militia group called the Sons of Liberty.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Tiny, slow and clumsy — these hatchlings are an easy snack for predators.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Dolphins, desperate to get their season on track after an embarrassing 33-8 loss to Indianapolis, are not trying to trade receiver Tyreek Hill, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this week.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Adding insult to injury, Eric and his friend Brian (Cameron Mann) film the incident and plan to post the embarrassing video on social media.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For those with allergies, these particles can be inhaled and trigger annoying symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, or itchy eyes.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Nadaly Cordless Vacuum Run the lightweight vacuum over hard floors and carpets to suck up dirt, dust, crumbs, and other debris — without an annoying cord to trail.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
My wooden Slazenger made hitting winners difficult in the same way that my humming Selectric made rewriting sentences cumbersome.—
Thomas Swick
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Second Amendment advocates say city-by-city ordinances would be cumbersome for permit holders commuting daily between jurisdictions.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Bator cites both external factors (such as geopolitical conflicts or the unsteady global economy) and internal ones (such as burnout and uncertainty).—
Mark C. Perna,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
On the game’s fourth play, the Michigan transfer got up after a 3-yard rush on a keeper and wobbled off the field on unsteady legs.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And that helped to resolve that weird uneasy tension in my head.—
Maria Reva
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The safe-haven asset offers investors a hedge against an uneasy financial environment as a sharp hiring slowdown coincides with a steady uptick of inflation, according to analysts.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Since the election, Reform has tried to refashion itself from a protest vote party to one that could govern – untried and inexperienced, but ready to step in if the Labour Party buckles under its own blunders, and the once-mighty Conservatives drift further into political irrelevance.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
-
His emergence has enabled a talented, inexperienced team find its early identity.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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