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
Their pairing is awkward and tentative and involves a learning curve for both.
—
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Jumpsuit for work that looks awkward with the rest of your shoes?
—Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 12 June 2025
From awkward silences to unresolved tensions, most of us would rather scroll, text, or disappear than risk a moment of raw, honest connection.
—Margie Warrell, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
The feelings of being sweaty, red-faced and kind of awkward is very familiar to me.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Jumpsuit for work that looks awkward with the rest of your shoes?
—Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 12 June 2025
From awkward silences to unresolved tensions, most of us would rather scroll, text, or disappear than risk a moment of raw, honest connection.
—Margie Warrell, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
The feelings of being sweaty, red-faced and kind of awkward is very familiar to me.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
-
The family lives on the 18th floor of a high-rise building and getting into the underground garage that doubles as a bomb shelter during Russian attacks is an uncomfortable experience.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
-
The other panelists and the show's host all tried to move past the comedian's uncomfortable move and go on with the show.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
Herbert includes a range of moments, from earnest attempts to talk about the enslaved people that maintained all these palatial homes to clumsier ones in which they are referred to as workers, insinuating that their labor was paid for instead of forced.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2025
-
The aftermath of Virginia’s clumsy tumble into a rose bed where her exposed cleavage is profusely pricked by thorns lasts for all of one scene.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Moskva missile cruiser, the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, was destroyed by Ukraine in the early days of the war, dealing an embarrassing blow to Putin.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
-
In an interview Wednesday on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Idris — who plays a rookie Formula One driver named Joshua Pearce — recalled an embarrassing moment while shooting opposite his F1 costar Brad Pitt, who plays Pearce's mentor, Sonny Hayes.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
And the positivity surrounding it is annoying, including my own.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
20 June 2025
-
Unfortunately, everything else in this misadventure, from annoying love interests to cloying sidekicks, is a minecart going off the rails.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
In-call operations, such as managing state or editing messages, are more cumbersome with audio.—
Arkadiy Telegin,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
For sharp images, stability is key—but a traditional tripod is cumbersome inside the confines of a safari vehicle.—
Lauren Breedlove,
Travel + Leisure,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
She's come to terms with the unsteady income, but even with acceptance, Wall admits that times do get tough.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
19 June 2025
-
The early moments with Scott’s Anne Marie are unsteady.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Edan Lui of Hong Kong boy band Mirror will also make his Korean drama debut in the new season, joining the cast in a role that pairs him in an uneasy alliance with Kim Do-gi.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2025
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Repeatedly returning to themes of globalization and alienation, the 55-year-old director has meticulously chronicled his country’s uneasy plunge into the 21st century as rampant industrialization risks deadening those left behind.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
Some of these vitamins have quality issues, like a fishy or unpleasant taste.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
25 June 2025
-
Diana, for example, when anything unpleasant was said in her presence, would slowly blink her eyes in an incredible act of denial.—
Rosemary Counter,
Time,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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