as in clumsiness
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Recent Examples of awkwardness
Cruz acknowledged the awkwardness of convening a hearing on the topic of college sports while larger global crises erupt.
—
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 June 2026
If not, this will save her the awkwardness of trimming her guest list.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026
Avots nails the physical awkwardness of Semjonova’s frame, playing her as uncomfortable even on the basketball court.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 2 June 2026
There was also awkwardness between the clubs when Griezmann came back to Atletico in 2021, initially in a strange loan deal which led to more strains in the relationships before his permanent return was finalised.
—Ali Rampling, New York Times, 29 May 2026
This time is full of uncomfortable unknowns and—in some cases—awkwardness, and both can lead to stress.
—Corinne Schuman, Parents, 22 May 2026
If the other person is between jobs or not in the mood to talk about work, this also sidesteps any potential awkwardness.
—Anna Goldfarb, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Does the sneak peek give you the sense that there is a certain awkwardness in the air?
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
That subtle awkwardness is common in scam messages sent to large groups of people.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 June 2026
If not, this will save her the awkwardness of trimming her guest list.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026
Avots nails the physical awkwardness of Semjonova’s frame, playing her as uncomfortable even on the basketball court.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 2 June 2026
There was also awkwardness between the clubs when Griezmann came back to Atletico in 2021, initially in a strange loan deal which led to more strains in the relationships before his permanent return was finalised.
—Ali Rampling, New York Times, 29 May 2026
This time is full of uncomfortable unknowns and—in some cases—awkwardness, and both can lead to stress.
—Corinne Schuman, Parents, 22 May 2026
If the other person is between jobs or not in the mood to talk about work, this also sidesteps any potential awkwardness.
—Anna Goldfarb, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Does the sneak peek give you the sense that there is a certain awkwardness in the air?
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
That subtle awkwardness is common in scam messages sent to large groups of people.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkwardness
Noun
-
In January 2024, Lola was diagnosed with leukemia after her parents initially mistook bruises appearing across her body for childhood clumsiness.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
-
The tree, which graces a botanical garden, bears patient witness to all manner of human clumsiness.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
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 6 Jun. 2026.
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