Synonyms of awkward

awkward

adjective

ˈȯ-kwərd 

1

as in uncomfortable

lacking social grace and assurance

preteens feeling awkward at their first formal dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• uncomfortable
• uneasy
• clumsy
• embarrassed
• ungraceful
• inelegant
• wooden
• gauche
• stiff
• stilted
• timid
• rustic
• upset
• nervous
• graceless
• flustered
• disturbed
• rough-hewn
• unsettled
• meek
• ungainly
• angular
• gawky
• agitated
• clownish
• uncouth
• boorish
• bothered
• discomfited
• distressed
• lubberly
• self-conscious
• modest
• abashed
• disconcerted
• diffident
• jumpy
• perturbed
• discomforted
• insecure
• mortified
• unassuming
• nonplussed
• jittery
• unassertive
• rattled
• disquieted
• chagrined
• dismayed
• unpretentious
• discomposed
• unhinged
• discountenanced
• fazed
• self-doubting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• graceful
• suave
• urbane
• cool
• confident
• composed
• collected
• calm
• undisturbed
• secure
• serene
• unperturbed
• tranquil
• poised
• placid
• assured
• self-assured
• self-confident
• self-possessed

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

• clumsy
• inexperienced
• sloppy
• incompetent
• careless
• botched
• inept
• inefficient
• inexpert
• fumbled
• maladroit
• unprofessional
• bungling
• amateurish
• ineffectual
• unpolished
• unskilled
• crude
• amateur
• tactless
• tacky
• green
• unskillful
• undiplomatic
• ineffective
• misguided
• misdirected
• ill-advised

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• facile
• adroit
• professional
• deft
• able
• capable
• clever
• competent
• skilled
• adept
• skillful
• polished
• easy
• dexterous
• talented
• expert
• proficient
• diplomatic
• accomplished
• smooth
• masterful
• masterly
• consummate
• gracious
• effortless
• tactful
• crackerjack

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

• embarrassing
• uncomfortable
• unpleasant
• difficult
• confusing
• disturbing
• disconcerting
• humiliating
• discomfiting
• impossible
• troublesome
• flustering
• unwieldy
• unsettling
• inconvenient
• disagreeable
• intolerable
• mortifying
• demeaning
• humbling
• degrading
• debasing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• convenient
• comfortable
• agreeable
• pleasing

4

as in annoying

causing difficulty, discomfort, or annoyance

our surprise guests came at a very awkward time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• annoying
• frustrating
• inconvenient
• irritating
• troublesome
• disturbing
• disobliging
• incommoding
• discommoding
• bothersome
• burdensome
• irksome
• onerous
• exasperating
• maddening
• vexing
• vexatious
• nagging
• nettlesome
• galling
• riling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• convenient
• acceptable
• tolerable
• bearable
• ultraconvenient
• endurable
• good
• desirable
• helpful
• advantageous
• sufferable

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

• clumsy
• cumbersome
• unwieldy
• ungainly
• clunky
• unhandy
• ponderous
• cumbrous
• heavy
• cranky
• impractical
• massive
• bunglesome
• uncontrollable
• unmanageable
• bulky
• dinosauric
• impracticable
• elephantine
• hulking
• dinosaurian

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• practical
• useful
• handy
• functional
• practicable
• serviceable

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

• clumsy
• unsteady
• ungainly
• gawky
• uncoordinated
• klutzy
• shuffling
• graceless
• wobbly
• gawkish
• lumbering
• shambling
• lubberly
• lumpish
• larruping
• galumphing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• graceful
• coordinated
• light
• nimble
• lithe
• lissome
• sure-footed
• light-footed

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

• clumsy
• unhandy
• all thumbs
• heavy-handed
• maladroit
• handless
• ham-fisted
• butterfingered
• graceless
• ham-handed
• cack-handed
• uncoordinated
• left-handed
• gauche
• unskilled
• inept
• unskillful
• bunglesome
• bungling
• inexpert

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• handy
• dexterous
• deft
• skilled
• skillful
• expert
• sure-handed
• masterly
• coordinated

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective awkward contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of awkward are clumsy, gauche, inept, and maladroit. While all these words mean "not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct)," awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact.

periods of awkward silence

In what contexts can clumsy take the place of awkward?

While the synonyms clumsy and awkward are close in meaning, clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

a clumsy mechanic

When would gauche be a good substitute for awkward?

In some situations, the words gauche and awkward are roughly equivalent. However, gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

When might inept be a better fit than awkward?

The words inept and awkward are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

a hopelessly inept defense attorney

When could maladroit be used to replace awkward?

The meanings of maladroit and awkward largely overlap; however, maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations.

a maladroit politician

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of awkward

But everything that could go wrong — from a heavy metal band practicing next door to lagging wifi causing awkward delays — did go wrong. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026

Unbearably painful and enraging for the one, surely pretty darn awkward for the other. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Played by Jesse Eisenberg, Zuckerberg is dramatized as a conceited, socially awkward college student who repeatedly burns allies in pursuit of power. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

The Marlins believed asking him to return to radio would be awkward and decided everyone needed a fresh start. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026