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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of uncomfortable
The run itself should feel hard and uncomfortable, and your heart rate will likely be 75 to 90% (or possibly more) of your maximum, Campbell says.
—
Jenny McCoy, SELF, 20 Mar. 2026
The Kings were comfortably uncomfortable ahead of this weekend’s back-to-back set, which will pit them against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon and then take them to Utah to confront the Mammoth on Sunday night.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 20 Mar. 2026
Daghighi is one of the older students in her classes, which initially left her feeling uncomfortable and unsure of herself.
—Jenelyn Russo, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
And that raises an uncomfortable question.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Jenny McCoy, SELF, 20 Mar. 2026
The Kings were comfortably uncomfortable ahead of this weekend’s back-to-back set, which will pit them against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon and then take them to Utah to confront the Mammoth on Sunday night.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 20 Mar. 2026
Daghighi is one of the older students in her classes, which initially left her feeling uncomfortable and unsure of herself.
—Jenelyn Russo, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
And that raises an uncomfortable question.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomfortable
Adjective
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Unkind words and thoughts from your harshest critic (yourself) are all too common, especially for women, and their effects can diminish mood, confidence and self-esteem while positive ones can have the opposite impact.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
26 Mar. 2026
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Those forces may give the president more leverage in his negotiations, but also risk fueling Tehran's resentment and provoking a harsher response, analysts say.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The clash over how many candidates to include underscored the dilemma facing Democrats, who are anxious to avoid a potentially embarrassing outcome in a state that hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988.—
Joseph Ax,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
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In another, a self-critical impulse takes hold, and what seemed good at first is suddenly embarrassing.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Over years and then decades, the two women’s relationship swings between fierce sisterhood, bitter jealousy and an uneasy combination of the two.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Mar. 2026
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Reportedly, Kate is uneasy about the way Harry and Meghan have criticized the monarchy.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Key backup Ayo Dosunmu was out, too, with a sore calf.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
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As of late, Steph Curry’s sore knee has been a constant source of discussion around the team.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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One possibility that can’t be ruled out is the Red Sox could trade Yoshida, who has played great since last September but who has become an awkward roster fit.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
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The world was first introduced to Saoirse-Monica Jackson as the awkward and expressive schoolgirl Erin Quinn in Derry Girls, navigating Troubles-era Northern Ireland and its conflict with the same fervor as her crushes, convent school, and cringe-inducing teenage chaos.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But it’s played sincerely, so the visual contrast just makes the connection feel clumsy, if not outright absurd.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
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McGee meets one of a clumsy TURF intern Pete, who is revealed to be Olivia's 18-year-old son, Matteo (Patrick Keleher) under interrogation.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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My ila facial was pure joy—no painful extraction or aggravating scrubs here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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Both seasons were painfully funny (often just painful), but the humor sometimes got lost as time has proven even its most over-the-top bits eerily correct.—
Jennifer Silverman,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That said, whole-virus vaccines can cause more unpleasant side effects, and in rare cases, weakened live pathogens can redevelop infectious capability.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
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Like, what would make this already unpleasant environment even spicier?—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomfortable. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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