ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl
1
as in harsh
causing discomfort
unfortunately, dressing up for the dance meant wearing an uncomfortable shirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment
the uncomfortable situation of running into an ex-friend at a social gathering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uneasy
lacking social grace and assurance
a person who is uncomfortable at parties with lots of strangers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of uncomfortable
The goal was not to create a line that felt fussy or that would be uncomfortable on long travel days.
—
Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Urban appeared to grow increasingly uncomfortable, unbuttoning and removing his jacket.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
But to hold on to their negotiating leverage, Senate Democrats will likely have to vote against a bill to temporarily extend government funding on Tuesday, just hours before a shutdown — an uncomfortable position for a party that has long denounced shutdowns as pointless and destructive.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
First and foremost, county officials had become uncomfortable with the reliance on handshake agreements and wanted to formalize the financial relationship between the fair and the county.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Urban appeared to grow increasingly uncomfortable, unbuttoning and removing his jacket.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
But to hold on to their negotiating leverage, Senate Democrats will likely have to vote against a bill to temporarily extend government funding on Tuesday, just hours before a shutdown — an uncomfortable position for a party that has long denounced shutdowns as pointless and destructive.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
First and foremost, county officials had become uncomfortable with the reliance on handshake agreements and wanted to formalize the financial relationship between the fair and the county.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomfortable
Adjective
-
The triumphant narrative began to fray when exceedingly harsh lockdown measures could no longer contain the spread of the virus, and the staggering human cost in the name of protecting lives defied all logic.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
-
There are no easy fixes, so figuring out how to cushion the harsh impact will be the basis of negotiations with other parties in the Japanese legislature, the Diet.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Each side in this debate has to deal with an embarrassing fact.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
7 Oct. 2025
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If the Yankees cannot shrug off the 2-0 series deficit, then Boone could be in hot water, especially with the pair of embarrassing losses to the Blue Jays.—
Hunter Mulholland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Still, when her mom asks if Paul and his kids can come on the birthday trip, the woman feels uneasy.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The loss of data arrived during an uneasy period for policymakers.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The wife noted that her broken arm is still sore.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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Max Strus is already out for the first part of the season after an offseason Jones fracture, while presumptive starting forward De’Andre Hunter has never played more than 67 games in a season, and his persistently sore knees require constant monitoring.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s six games without a goal now for their new striker, who still looks awkward in this side.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The onion on top is a little awkward to cut and to eat, so think of this as a knife-and-fork cornbread.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Maggie is a snoop—and a clumsy one.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
-
But the character’s state of servitude is largely hidden in clumsy blocking.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Mario Vuskovic’s suspension in 2022 was part of that struggle, another painful situation to overcome.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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In place of pesky underwire — which is uncomfortable at best, and downright painful at its worst — the bra uses a sturdy elastic band and adjustable straps to provide comfortable support.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But the ever-reliable consumer is beginning to look shaky, courtesy of an unpleasant mix of a stagnating job market and sticky inflation.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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The power is accompanied by a loud, unpleasant exhaust note.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomfortable. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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