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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of uncomfortable
That uncomfortable overlap between art and life is precisely what the filmmakers are betting on.
—
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
Here is the uncomfortable truth.
—Mark Desjardine, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
That being said, some people find the larger menstrual cups uncomfortable.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Yet the numbers that looked so impressive in his teenage years now make for uncomfortable reading.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
Here is the uncomfortable truth.
—Mark Desjardine, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
That being said, some people find the larger menstrual cups uncomfortable.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Yet the numbers that looked so impressive in his teenage years now make for uncomfortable reading.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomfortable
Adjective
-
There's a lot of harsh words and harsh things that get said about people.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Applying it at the base of the plant before the first frost can protect the roots from harsh cold and keep the soil from freezing.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But the Wolverines were also 21-6 and coming off an embarrassing home loss to Illinois in the final regular-season game.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Alfonsi’s reporting did show up on Canada’s Global TV service, which had been given a feed of the program before the change was made, an embarrassing operational error by CBS News.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Neighbors fear rising violence Residents said the shooting has left them uneasy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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But by evening, an uneasy calm had settled across the city.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Shein’s new brick-and-mortar store—its first in the world—sticks out like a sore thumb.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
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The Clippers were missing two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard (ankle) and guard Bradley Beal (sore knee) in a lopsided 126-107 loss to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The rise of digital payment systems has made tipping both easier and more awkward, especially when prompts appear at counters, kiosks and drive-thru windows.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Use this a couple of times a week for smoother, brighter skin (without getting sunburnt and sand in awkward places).—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But in that moment, my 40 years of skiing experience evaporated, and the bulletproof snow and thick crowds transformed me into an anxious and clumsy mess.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
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Following the adventures of the titular sheep, the franchise’s latest takes place at Mossy Bottom Farm on Halloween Eve, watching as excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Proper skin preparation is key to making your wax sessions less painful.—
Tatayana Yomary,
Essence,
7 Jan. 2026
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The high fevers, hospitalizations, and dehydration that these illnesses cause can be painful and disruptive—and, with vaccines, avoidable.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Using a speaker outside the stall results in reverb and echoing as the music bounces around the bathroom walls, making the sound muddy and unpleasant.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
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Given the lack of gravity, even a runny nose can turn into an extremely unpleasant experience, forcing astronauts to resort to unusual measures just to drain mucus from their nasal passages.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomfortable. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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