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
Relevance
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
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 uncomfortable
Drivers may also not want to wear the devices, which may be uncomfortable or distracting, the sources said.
—
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
Sensing how uncomfortable Yousafzai was by the question, Kale quickly changed the topic.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
And the Lakers could, by then, be in an uncomfortable hole in the unforgiving Western Conference.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Jay Norvell was finally let go in FoCo on Sunday after a month of awkward, uncomfortable speculation.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
Sensing how uncomfortable Yousafzai was by the question, Kale quickly changed the topic.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
And the Lakers could, by then, be in an uncomfortable hole in the unforgiving Western Conference.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Jay Norvell was finally let go in FoCo on Sunday after a month of awkward, uncomfortable speculation.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomfortable
Adjective
-
According to the woman, her parents’ reasoning for denying her requests was rooted in a harsh lesson about independence.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Instead of buying special cleaners or reaching for harsh chemicals to clean around your home, look to your medicine cabinet for a solution.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But for Dylan, going from Jew to Jesus freak—however slack a Jew he’d been—was no more questionable or embarrassing to him than going from acoustic to electric.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The Panthers are coming off an embarrassing 40-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Lawler, the best known of the young actors thanks to her breakout work in Station Eleven, brings welcome awkward humor, while Stack, with the series’ most complex character, conveys an uneasy grasp on sanity that the rest of the show isn’t really prepared to deal with.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
-
BofA also points to a record 54% of investors who now believe that AI stocks are in a bubble, according to its most recent Global Fund Manager Survey—another reason for heightened vigilance around the market’s uneasy exuberance.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And then, sticking out like a sore thumb amidst all these names, is Mamukelashvili.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The cool temperature may also soothe sore gums.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Frederick Wherry, Kristin Seefeldt, and Anthony Alvarez examine the strategies potential lenders use to make these interactions less awkward.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Talk about awkward reunions at unlikely places, if this does happen.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even the basic details of the situation can sound like the clumsy plot of some apocalyptic thriller.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
An exceptionally clumsy device.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The murder scene was so gruesome and painful to process that the community simply burnt the house down.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Fumbling with the plastic nubs can be painful and frustrating.—
Zoe Gates,
Outside,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Considering that Rebecca and Noah’s mom, Bina (Tovah Feldshuh), came off as equally unpleasant, Foster, Konner, and Kaplan kind of had to retool the character.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Despite being so unpleasant, hemorrhoid complications are surprisingly common.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomfortable. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share