as in clumsiness
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Recent Examples of awkwardness
In a November 2019 podcast appearance, per People, King addressed the potential awkwardness of working with Elordi.
—
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
Kohberger had suffered through childhood weight struggles, bullying, social awkwardness, and later, heroin addiction.
—Theresa Braine, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Even one-on-one, this is likely going to be a tough sell for some people, but if you’re unbothered by sharing food and germs, then potential social awkwardness should be a breeze.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
This extra, low-effort step makes guests feel especially welcome, as well as nips any potential musical chairs awkwardness in the bud.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
But avoiding awkwardness can also get in the way of fun and connection.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 19 Dec. 2025
If one generation is funding the trip, clarity prevents awkwardness later.
—Taylor Haught, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Dec. 2025
There’s no awkwardness, just two people who love and care about each other, who are grateful for what the other gave them.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Alas, there’s an inevitable awkwardness watching present-day actors attempt to do the same.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2025
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
Kohberger had suffered through childhood weight struggles, bullying, social awkwardness, and later, heroin addiction.
—Theresa Braine, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Even one-on-one, this is likely going to be a tough sell for some people, but if you’re unbothered by sharing food and germs, then potential social awkwardness should be a breeze.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
This extra, low-effort step makes guests feel especially welcome, as well as nips any potential musical chairs awkwardness in the bud.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
But avoiding awkwardness can also get in the way of fun and connection.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 19 Dec. 2025
If one generation is funding the trip, clarity prevents awkwardness later.
—Taylor Haught, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Dec. 2025
There’s no awkwardness, just two people who love and care about each other, who are grateful for what the other gave them.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Alas, there’s an inevitable awkwardness watching present-day actors attempt to do the same.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkwardness
Noun
-
Complete with easy, unstructured choreography, Fiyero’s loose movement mirrors the Scarecrow's clumsiness.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
21 Nov. 2025
-
The clumsiness feels important in other ways, too.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Not two years later this tower was to collapse precipitately under its own weight into a pyramid of dust and rubble, only to be rebuilt later, in, unaccountably, all its former gracelessness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awkwardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkwardness. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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