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
McGinn played on the right against Newcastle United and Brentford, yet was uncomfortable when standing on the touchline and operating as a winger.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Get potential clients on board early by saying the uncomfortable thing first.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The moment became more uncomfortable when her brother appeared to take his girlfriend’s side.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Scabies causes small, pimple-like skin bumps, which can be intensely itchy and uncomfortable.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Get potential clients on board early by saying the uncomfortable thing first.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The moment became more uncomfortable when her brother appeared to take his girlfriend’s side.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Scabies causes small, pimple-like skin bumps, which can be intensely itchy and uncomfortable.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomfortable
Adjective
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Oysters inspired the researchers because of their remarkable ability to attach to rocks, bridge pilings, or even each other in the harsh underwater environment.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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But the rules of the Long Walk are harsh and the stakes could not be higher.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Other newborns were given away by their grandparents who conspired with doctors, priests and nuns to hide a daughter’s socially embarrassing pregnancy.—
Rafael Romo,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
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Fear of failure Failure can be disheartening, embarrassing and often downright devastating — especially in entrepreneurship, when your reputation and finances could be on the line.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Handing spending power to a piece of software makes people uneasy.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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An uneasy calm, after two nights of chaos that saw tens of thousands of people pour out into the streets to vent their fury, setting fire to parliament and the Supreme Court – key symbols of state – and clashing with the government forces sent to keep them under control.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Neil’s with the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Sixx’s with the Los Angeles Times — also have their subjects addressing the band’s split with former guitarist Mick Mars in 2022 and the sore feelings and lawsuits that have come out of that.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Angels were also without shortstop Zach Neto because of a sore left wrist and outfielder Jo Adell because of vertigo.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While there is little doubt about the outcome of the Fed meeting, there are still questions over who exactly will be voting—setting up some very awkward dynamics.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
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This leaves the broader discourse around Kirk’s assassination in an awkward position, deprived of the certainty that so many crave.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The rubber sole is also important for clumsy gals like myself.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Camels seem slow, hippos clumsy, phoenixes unstable, lions lazy.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In other words, the more painful the cry sounded, the warmer the listener's face became—and the effect was the same for both men and women.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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The Queen could have surgery to remove bunions, but has been warned against it as the surgery is too painful.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Just the prospect of interacting with that person can be unpleasant or feel draining.—
Josh Davis,
Fortune,
17 Sep. 2025
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One unpleasant but necessary aspect of board service is disciplinary action against unneighborly behavior by members.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomfortable. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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