awry 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈrī How to pronounce awry (audio)
Definition of awrynext
as in uneven
inclined or twisted to one side the shutters that still remained on the run-down old house were all awry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

awry

2 of 2

adverb

ə-ˈrī How to pronounce awry (audio)
as in wrong
off the desired or intended path or course their plans for an outdoor wedding went awry when they got a freak hailstorm the night before

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 awry
Adjective
Different departments and agencies have various policies outlining what actions are appropriate if a car stop or other incident goes awry. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026 Still, Bethany says that at times the system has gone awry, particularly because in addition to allowance, her two oldest children also have access to her credit card, ostensibly for emergencies. — Erika Janes, Curbed, 17 July 2026 In addition to pointing out pockets of loveliness, Bayless regaled us with charming stories about TV filming episodes gone awry and how his youngest grandchild likes to bang at his back door for food. — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 More than six hours after his putt for 61 went awry, a rules controversy featuring one of the most polarizing athletes in the sport threatened to eclipse every other story on Royal Birkdale’s marquee. — Justin Ray, New York Times, 17 July 2026 But then a banquet meal goes horribly awry, and pirates sink the ship. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026 All those visitors statistically ensure that some trips will occasionally go awry—or turn deadly. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 July 2026 Despite their celebratory mood, Lucky can’t quite shake the feeling that something is on the verge of going horribly awry. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026 These cases where dual-class shares have gone awry are often cited by good governance advocates as justification for sunsetting dual-class shares across the board. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awry
  1. uneven
  2. wrong
  3. tilted
  4. badly
  5. crooked
  6. oblique
Adjective
  • The uneven overall performance can be traced back — first and foremost — to a leaky defense.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
  • The uneven elevation of Spain’s mountainous regions could obstruct viewing the eclipse, as could a line of trees or a smattering of buildings.
    — Catherine Tansey, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 July 2026
Definition of uneven
Adverb
  • There’s no outstanding candidate available to England and, while Tuchel clearly got the second half against Argentina badly wrong, there’s merit in allowing that semi-final to become an instructive experience going forward.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026
  • Nolan trusts his vision over noise because he's proven them wrong before.
    — Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Compared with tilted plastic rafts used in warmer climates, this design attaches flexible solar panels directly to thick, waterproof foam sheets, reducing wind exposure.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026
  • Citi maintained that risks to oil prices remain tilted to the upside, as Iran retains significant control over the timing and terms of any potential agreement to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz energy route.
    — Sam Meredith,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 10 May 2026
Definition of tilted
Adverb
  • When planning rules protect views rather than families, something has gone badly wrong.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Mohammad Taj, who travelled to Delhi from neighboring Haryana state, and whose face was badly bruised in the Monday crackdown, said the march heading to parliament had been peaceful.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of badly
Adjective
  • Resurrection Dex’s Resurrection is an uncomfortably honest and self-critical mixtape about the British rapper attempting to reform his crooked ways.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026
  • Whitehead, meanwhile, crystalizes his sense of what makes the city run, where Carney fits in, and how the straight and crooked worlds are entwined in one strange ecosystem with laws that only the lawless can enforce.
    — David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
Definition of crooked
Adjective
  • One thing that could hurt the Giants’ vibe moving forward is the health of outfielder Victor Bericoto, who left the game with an oblique injury after striking out on a foul tip in the fifth inning.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
  • But after rejoining the Atlanta Braves in late June following a right oblique strain that had him out for nearly a month, the 25-year-old catcher endured a 2-for-43 skid and looked like a shell of himself at the plate.
    — Jesús Cano, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of oblique

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AWOL
awry
aw-shucks
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Cite this Entry

“Awry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awry. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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