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
Nothing makes the man more uncomfortable than comfort.
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Being able to be uncomfortable.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Purgatory is uncomfortable by design.
—Geoff Curtis, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
The costume was itchy and uncomfortable.
—Beverly Gage, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Being able to be uncomfortable.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Purgatory is uncomfortable by design.
—Geoff Curtis, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
The costume was itchy and uncomfortable.
—Beverly Gage, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomfortable
Adjective
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The lawyers also argue that Combs' sentence was too harsh, saying the trial judge wrongly based it in part on a conclusion that the crimes involved fraud and coercion and that Combs was a leader or organizer of criminal activity.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Focused on a 2021 expedition in which Icelandic climber John Snorri Sigurjónsson and the Pakistani father-and-son team Ali and Sajid Sadpara attempt to become the first to summit K2 in winter, when conditions are at their harshest.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But this can be pretty embarrassing.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Tiger Woods’ rollover crash last week and subsequent DUI charge near his Jupiter Island, Florida, home was shameful and embarrassing enough.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Many of these stemmed from the uneasy coexistence of political parties with religion – which was newly protected by the First Amendment – and with the Catholic Church in particular.—
Derek Arnold,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
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So the uneasy authorities decided that such impertinence must be silenced once and for all.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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My lymph glands became swollen and sore, my entire back broke out in blisters, and a series of blisters appeared on my arm from the wrist almost to the armpit.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
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Say goodbye to back pain and sore muscles with the Chirp Wheel XR 3-Pack, your at-home toolkit for extreme relief.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Mary Washington’s Kye Robinson attempted an awkward, off-balance shot that missed the rim and landed in the hands of teammate Colin Mitchell under the basket.—
Michael Cunningham,
AJC.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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Porsha shuts down any further messy conversations, choosing instead to focus on being a good host, ending the night with an awkward kiss with her fake boyfriend.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Even young Oklahoma City required a clumsy postseason audition.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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The driver and his accomplice then mounted a clumsy getaway that resulted in their scooter crashing about three blocks from the scene, cops said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the following months, painful shocks radiated through her chest and back.—
Brett Kelman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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The images of that crash were shared widely online and caught Noah Williams' attention, triggering painful memories and taking him back to the day his own life changed forever.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The response from me is very unpleasant, and then my husband gets all uncomfortable.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Finally, a carbon filter is used to eliminate odors such as ammonia, cigarette smoke, hydrogen sulfide, and other pollutants that emit unpleasant smells.—
John R. Delaney,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomfortable. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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