1
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
preteens feeling awkward at their first formal dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
her awkward handling of the seating arrangements at the wedding reception resulted in many hurt feelings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment
the awkward situation of having to listen as your host and hostess quarrel loudly in the next room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in annoying
causing difficulty, discomfort, or annoyance
our surprise guests came at a very awkward time
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in cumbersome
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design
that manual can opener is awkward to hold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in unsteady
having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner
an awkward person who is always tripping over herself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in unhandy
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands
an awkward catch of a fly ball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of awkward
Repetitive motions, awkward postures, and constant strain add up, often ending in costly musculoskeletal injuries that take weeks to heal.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
His 5-wood finished in the face of a greenside bunker, leading to an awkward stance for his third shot.
—Robert Yates, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2025
Since then, there have been many hot takes and think pieces on the topic, as well as awkward attempts at coming up with something new.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Morgan and Joanne are seen fixing each other’s hair or inspecting their faces in bathroom mirrors in several scenes, usually following socially awkward or tense moments like a disastrous double-date or a run-in with a frenemy.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
His 5-wood finished in the face of a greenside bunker, leading to an awkward stance for his third shot.
—Robert Yates, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2025
Since then, there have been many hot takes and think pieces on the topic, as well as awkward attempts at coming up with something new.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Morgan and Joanne are seen fixing each other’s hair or inspecting their faces in bathroom mirrors in several scenes, usually following socially awkward or tense moments like a disastrous double-date or a run-in with a frenemy.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
-
In its eerie, uncomfortable depiction of Derry as a toxic version of the all-American town, the series is sometimes more powerful than when Pennywise jumps at the screen.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
-
There’s certainly an authenticity to this development; who among us hasn’t procrastinated when facing an uncomfortable decision?—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Even the basic details of the situation can sound like the clumsy plot of some apocalyptic thriller.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
An exceptionally clumsy device.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But as the cast of Survivor 49 is about to prove, embarrassing things can also happen when there are no cameras around.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
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The idea of experiencing burning, itching or sharp pain while sitting at work, straining on the toilet or trying to relax at home can be both embarrassing and exhausting.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even sage advice given in an annoying manner will eventually be ignored, and the lord at last was driven out of his own house.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Los Angeles, where the produce is so fresh and enticing as to induce tears and the reservation culture is not nearly as annoying as New York, is a sprawling city with a sprawling food scene.—
Jocelyn Silver,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Maintaining the tugboat became cumbersome, and three Zizian members opted to move into box trucks before squatting in a Bay Area trailer lot owned by Curtis Lind, then age 80, a former shipworker and grandfather of four.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Oct. 2025
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Film cameras are a little bulky, Quigley says, and even digital cameras are more cumbersome to carry around than a sleek smartphone.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Where Aytaç was large but poised, Abdi was insubstantial, scrawny, and unsteady on his feet.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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If something feels unsteady or on shaky ground, it will be revealed — not to break you, but to rebuild something stronger.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Lawler, the best known of the young actors thanks to her breakout work in Station Eleven, brings welcome awkward humor, while Stack, with the series’ most complex character, conveys an uneasy grasp on sanity that the rest of the show isn’t really prepared to deal with.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
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BofA also points to a record 54% of investors who now believe that AI stocks are in a bubble, according to its most recent Global Fund Manager Survey—another reason for heightened vigilance around the market’s uneasy exuberance.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But let’s face it, the Red Wings have looked a bit inexperienced at times so far, too.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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The helmers cycle through a year’s worth of seasons for Zhenya and Anatolij Pilipenko, inexperienced farmers who envisioned a new life for themselves and their two young daughters.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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