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
For the first time under Eddie Howe’s management, Newcastle have lost three successive Premier League matches on Tyneside, a faith-shaker for a club which prides itself on making journeys north uncomfortable for their opponents.
—
George Caulkin, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
And so there are some uncomfortable moments.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
That would make water not just uncomfortable, but also emotionally upsetting.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 27 Feb. 2026
However, that range made a very tight, uncomfortable leash around any type of leisure vehicle made for travel and vacationing.
—New Atlas, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
George Caulkin, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
And so there are some uncomfortable moments.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
That would make water not just uncomfortable, but also emotionally upsetting.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 27 Feb. 2026
However, that range made a very tight, uncomfortable leash around any type of leisure vehicle made for travel and vacationing.
—New Atlas, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomfortable
Adjective
-
Engineers have long searched for efficient electric alternatives that can survive the harsh conditions inside industrial systems.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Critics say the danger faced by agents whose names are made public is overblown, almost always limited to harsh and violent words lobbed from behind a laptop or phone screen.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Private vigilance would prevent public slovenliness and insulate her from accidentally doing something embarrassing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Al Gore, a liberal resident, had just become Vice-President, and the Criminal Justice Center was now seen as an embarrassing relic.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Arab leaders have sought to calm nationals and expatriate residents who chose to move to the Persian Gulf region for stability, safety and the promise of prosperity, but who are increasingly growing uneasy as the conflict becomes more chaotic.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In Canada, as elsewhere, the climate movement, after years of raucous visibility, has largely fallen into a state of uneasy quietude.—
Robert Moor,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Unfortunately, his reward for such an achievement was a sore elbow — and a Lakers loss.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Designed to help puppies through the teething phase, the textured surface is great for relieving sore gums.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
He is seen as favoring Christine Lagarde, head of the European Central Bank, to take over WEF, though her huffy exit this year from a dinner stacked with US government officials may make things awkward.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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His selection could prove awkward, as the Islamic Republic has long criticized hereditary rule and cast itself as a more just alternative.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That makes the killers kind of human and fallible and clumsy, and these movies get a lot of mileage out of the slapstick shenanigans of their slasher chases.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
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Then, however, Phillips was sent off four minutes into the second half for a clumsy lunge at Svante Ingelsson, and suddenly Wednesday believed.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Sermon, his mentor, was in the midst of a painful split-up with his creative partner, PMD.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
8 Mar. 2026
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And, if that wasn't painful enough, your retirement savings takes a hit because the loan isn't getting paid back.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Trapped allergens can affect the air quality in your bedroom, triggering congestion, scalp itching and irritation, not to mention unpleasant odors.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
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So Miss Manners believes that your sister should apologize — not to her rude guest, but to the other guests, for having been subjected to such an unpleasant scene.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomfortable. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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