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
On the bright side, Mark gets out of there so quickly Carrie doesn’t have to have an awkward conversation with him about not wanting to date.
—
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
In it, Carrie spends an awkward weekend with Aidan and his family in Virginia after spontaneously extending what otherwise would have been a day-trip; one scene shows Carrie rustling from sleep fully clothed and totally alone in his bed on her first morning there.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 15 Aug. 2025
Modern Naval planners forget that, for small ships, the transit to the World War II battle line was usually an awkward and often grinding mix of travel.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Critics found the curved lap bar to be awkward and the journey seemed too short.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
In it, Carrie spends an awkward weekend with Aidan and his family in Virginia after spontaneously extending what otherwise would have been a day-trip; one scene shows Carrie rustling from sleep fully clothed and totally alone in his bed on her first morning there.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 15 Aug. 2025
Modern Naval planners forget that, for small ships, the transit to the World War II battle line was usually an awkward and often grinding mix of travel.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Critics found the curved lap bar to be awkward and the journey seemed too short.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
-
Removing 55 books the governor’s political party is uncomfortable with is not ethical or legal.—
Robert Kesten,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
-
For some, the action echoes uncomfortable historical chapters when politicians used language to paint predominantly Black cities with racist narratives to shape public opinion and justify police action.—
John Seewer,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Any move to unify systems and say goodbye to clumsy data management couldn't be more crucial—or opportune.—
Charles Crouchman,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Every summer a disposable camera was tucked into my camp bag, where clumsy photos, often with a thumb peeking in, were snapped with reckless abandon.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This puts us at risk for more than regulatory trouble or embarrassing model errors.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Heat is delivered by chiles, hot sauce, red chili flakes or simply an embarrassing amount of freshly ground black pepper.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The 65-inch Sony Bravia 8 OLED TV has a sleek and minimalist design that really stands out, and its black levels are flawless, resulting in no annoying light bloom at all.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
6 Aug. 2025
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Electric staplers may also include bonus features like a refill indicator light, high-volume stapling and jam-free staple pathways for reducing annoying backups.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Swapping between the two can be cumbersome and doesn’t always foster fluid combo building.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Regardless of the positive potential, humans are quirky and cumbersome – and there is an acute risk of dependency on bots, where humans replace interpersonal relationships with the convenience of artificial companions.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The Dolphins also didn’t invest in a safety turning 29 this season who is coming off an unsteady year or two in Pittsburgh.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
28 July 2025
-
But its lessons may be useful in these unsteady days, too, with our own uncivil Court.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
27 July 2025
Adjective
-
The United States and China have settled into a steady state of pragmatic, if uneasy, détente.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
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Reading Zeller’s book, I was reminded that there is a kind of uneasy fellowship in this condition—a vast, involuntary community of people mapping out their lives between attacks, haunted by uncertainty but sustained in part by accounts like his.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Once again, America confronts the unpleasant truth that the Constitution does not expressly guarantee a right to vote — and neither will the Supreme Court.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
-
These can be unpleasant enough to lead some women to quit them, according to research.—
Katia Riddle,
NPR,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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