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
-
Cisco positions the same rugged networking technology used in Parkie for other harsh environments, including factories, logistics hubs, and outdoor industrial sites.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Fabrics that aren't made for harsh weather conditions, especially cotton and linen, are prone to absorbing moisture, causing mold, mildew, and water stains.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
But by evening, an uneasy calm had settled across the city.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Persistent increases in utility rates have become a sore point for customers across California.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Getting flip-flops with thick, padded soles will ensure that your ankles, toes and heels don’t feel sore after a long day.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The couple's appearance comes just days after Cher appeared on Shepard's Armchair Expert and dropped a few awkward moments with the hosts.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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This mind-melter from Charlie Kaufman centers on an enigmatic Buckley as the conflicted girlfriend of Jesse Plemons’s awkward Jake, who takes her to meet his incredibly strange parents (Toni Collette and David Thewlis).—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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 17 Jan. 2026.
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