1
as in clumsily
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2
as in ungracefully
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Recent Examples of awkwardly
Ever the combative company, Perplexity—in which, rather awkwardly, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has invested—fired back with a statement of its own.
—
Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Daniels was tackled awkwardly in garbage time on a play that didn’t matter with the game out of reach — a decision head coach Dan Quinn took plenty of heat for in the aftermath of what happened.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
In the midst of being routed at home, 38-14, Washington’s second-year star quarterback, Jayden Daniels, was injured after falling awkwardly midway through the fourth quarter while the game was no longer in doubt.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
Kraft suffered the injury early in the third quarter of Green Bay’s 16-13 loss on Sunday when left guard Sean Rhyan’s right foot landed just below Kraft’s right knee and bent his leg awkwardly while both players were blocking during a Josh Jacobs run.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Understandably excited, Quayle couldn’t resist a playful shoulder punch to the older, reserved Bush, who smiled awkwardly.
—Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Skattebo's awkward fall caused his foot to get stuck in the grass and bend awkwardly beneath him on the field.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
This sleek, clear bag makes the liquids rule effortless, so, no more rummaging at security or awkwardly unpacking mid-line.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
During their 2012 interview, Guthrie awkwardly posed the question to Kardashian just as an audio cue to wrap the segment began to play.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Daniels was tackled awkwardly in garbage time on a play that didn’t matter with the game out of reach — a decision head coach Dan Quinn took plenty of heat for in the aftermath of what happened.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
In the midst of being routed at home, 38-14, Washington’s second-year star quarterback, Jayden Daniels, was injured after falling awkwardly midway through the fourth quarter while the game was no longer in doubt.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
Kraft suffered the injury early in the third quarter of Green Bay’s 16-13 loss on Sunday when left guard Sean Rhyan’s right foot landed just below Kraft’s right knee and bent his leg awkwardly while both players were blocking during a Josh Jacobs run.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Understandably excited, Quayle couldn’t resist a playful shoulder punch to the older, reserved Bush, who smiled awkwardly.
—Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Skattebo's awkward fall caused his foot to get stuck in the grass and bend awkwardly beneath him on the field.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
This sleek, clear bag makes the liquids rule effortless, so, no more rummaging at security or awkwardly unpacking mid-line.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
During their 2012 interview, Guthrie awkwardly posed the question to Kardashian just as an audio cue to wrap the segment began to play.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkwardly
Adverb
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Completely nude and covered in suds, Jeff makes a run for his secret hideaway in the store, clumsily vaulting himself over a toy rack and makeshift wall to do so.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Oct. 2025
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Nix remained underwater in September as Denver stumbled clumsily into the national spotlight with one win.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Dancing the Poznan really ineptly, mind you, but dancing nonetheless.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
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Somehow this ineptly plotted affair lured Keke Palmer into its lair and her comedy chops all but gets handcuffed by an illogical, unfunny screenplay.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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Speculative stocks have unfortunately had young investors in a chokehold as of late, according to Jim Cramer.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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And so, unfortunately, people are upset about the comments.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awkwardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkwardly. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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