1
as in clumsily
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2
as in ungracefully
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Recent Examples of awkwardly
On his only reception of the game, Kittle’s foot was twisted awkwardly on a tackle by Philadelphia safety Marcus Epps.
—
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
Last year, the shadows of the Hollywood wildfires loomed large over the various proceedings, which led to several hosts awkwardly attempting to justify holding awards shows in a city still ravaged by a natural disaster.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
His left foot got caught up with the leg of Watson and bent awkwardly.
—CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Edwards was carted off the field in the second quarter after his left foot got caught up with the leg of Watson and bent awkwardly.
—Andrew Seligman, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
A little way down the bank, a hoatzin flapped awkwardly in dense foliage.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Episode 3 ended with Ron, Eric Nam, Kristen Kish, and Caroline Stanbury all tied to trees and hilariously pleading for their lives while the Traitors and a masked executioner all just kind of stood there awkwardly.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
In the present, they’re awkwardly reunited for his brother’s destination wedding in Barcelona, following two years of mutual silent treatment.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller were the new forwards added to the roster, while Seth Jones cracked a deep blue line with Noah Hanifin earning the eighth spot over, awkwardly, former Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox, who plays for Sullivan’s Rangers.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
Last year, the shadows of the Hollywood wildfires loomed large over the various proceedings, which led to several hosts awkwardly attempting to justify holding awards shows in a city still ravaged by a natural disaster.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
His left foot got caught up with the leg of Watson and bent awkwardly.
—CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Edwards was carted off the field in the second quarter after his left foot got caught up with the leg of Watson and bent awkwardly.
—Andrew Seligman, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
A little way down the bank, a hoatzin flapped awkwardly in dense foliage.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Episode 3 ended with Ron, Eric Nam, Kristen Kish, and Caroline Stanbury all tied to trees and hilariously pleading for their lives while the Traitors and a masked executioner all just kind of stood there awkwardly.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
In the present, they’re awkwardly reunited for his brother’s destination wedding in Barcelona, following two years of mutual silent treatment.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller were the new forwards added to the roster, while Seth Jones cracked a deep blue line with Noah Hanifin earning the eighth spot over, awkwardly, former Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox, who plays for Sullivan’s Rangers.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkwardly
Adverb
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Then a new entity clumsily named Netflix intruded with its quantum equation.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
18 Dec. 2025
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As for the fifth dimension, China’s power is having a corrosive effect on democracies, including in the United States, which has clumsily adopted measures that resemble the CCP’s mercenary mercantilism.—
Stephen Kotkin,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 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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The rooms Rooms here are understated and simple, with dark wood detailing, unfussy bathroom setups—compact showers and no bathtubs, unfortunately—and comfy beds topped with dense, cozy duvets and cotton sheets.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
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But, unfortunately, the strawberry growing season is short.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Awkwardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkwardly. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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