awkwardly

adverb

Definition of awkwardlynext
1
as in clumsily

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in ungracefully

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of awkwardly Villa hope the injury is not serious for McGinn, but the Scotland international came off after landing awkwardly on his left knee. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 On a subsequent visit six months later, Jason noticed one of the Italian-designer couches pushed awkwardly against the wall and asked why. — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 Penta hit a Mexican Destroyer on Chad Gable and the two landed awkwardly. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Marvel similarly spent a decade effectively building its stories and characters toward Infinity War and Endgame has since been criticized for floundering a bit — awkwardly trying and discarding various characters and stories. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 As Cifaldi and his companions started hiking out, the pole awkwardly sticking out of his side, Stillwater County Search and Rescue team commander Ty Williams monitored the group's progress via a dispatcher who took calls from the group. — CBS News, 30 July 2026 Fever star center Aliyah Boston exited early with an apparent knee injury after landing awkwardly. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 Loath to let a situation play out not awkwardly, Amy leaves the boat with Will and Suzanne. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 28 July 2026 As footage of Stephani hitting Jolley in the eye plays, the brother-and-sister duo both cover their faces in shock and awkwardly laugh. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkwardly
  1. clumsily
  2. irrelevantly
  3. ineptly
  4. unfortunately
  5. gracelessly
Adverb
  • This is yet another movie that aims rather clumsily for shock value by dwelling on consumption and meat, like many a grisly eating-disorder horror opus of late.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • The men’s styles collide clumsily with Nashville’s party people, who are at least a decade younger and many drinks deeper.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
Definition of clumsily
Adverb
  • Grandma, irrelevantly but convincingly, spoke of wars, blizzards and trekking barefoot to school.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Definition of irrelevantly
Adverb
  • The collapse of the Constitution’s balance of powers between three branches of government got us into an unneeded war conducted ineptly.
    — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Dancing the Poznan really ineptly, mind you, but dancing nonetheless.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of ineptly
Adverb
  • He also, unfortunately, ceded possession to PSG’s counter-press, contributing to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s thunderous strike taking the lead.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But unfortunately life gets in the way of this triumphant moment in a young person’s life when her mother Elizabeth’s (Melanie Lynskey) cancer returns.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfortunately
Adverb
  • This kind of beauty has nothing to do with perfection, which is distributed so arbitrarily and approximated so gracelessly.
    — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026
Definition of gracelessly

Browse Nearby Words

awkward
awkwardly
awkwardness
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Cite this Entry

“Awkwardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkwardly. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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