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
Each one unfolded with that same uncomfortable rhythm.
—
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
The calls suggest that at least some in the clerical establishment are uncomfortable with leaving a three-man council in charge — even temporarily under constitutional rules — after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
—Pia Singh,azhar Sukri, CNBC, 7 Mar. 2026
How scammers got your email address Here is the uncomfortable truth.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Nuno had signed a new contract on June 20 and was expected to work under Edu, the new global head of football for Marinakis’ football empire — Forest, Greek club Olympiacos and Portuguese team Rio Ave — but the former Wolves manager quickly became uncomfortable with the new structure.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
The calls suggest that at least some in the clerical establishment are uncomfortable with leaving a three-man council in charge — even temporarily under constitutional rules — after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
—Pia Singh,azhar Sukri, CNBC, 7 Mar. 2026
How scammers got your email address Here is the uncomfortable truth.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Nuno had signed a new contract on June 20 and was expected to work under Edu, the new global head of football for Marinakis’ football empire — Forest, Greek club Olympiacos and Portuguese team Rio Ave — but the former Wolves manager quickly became uncomfortable with the new structure.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomfortable
Adjective
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Engineers have long searched for efficient electric alternatives that can survive the harsh conditions inside industrial systems.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
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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
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To be honest, even with the public spectacle of a trial now taken off CAA’s plate, most of Musero’s case had been trimmed back in June last year (see below), so a lot of what could have taken place on the record and in public would have been somewhere between embarrassing and performative.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2026
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The reasons for this cautious response are many, ranging from the precarious diplomatic implications of the conflict, disruptions to its energy security, and the embarrassing implications of allowing an ally to be destroyed.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Many travelers feel 'uneasy' about going abroad.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
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The United States and Israel’s widening war with Iran has stricken an already uneasy global economy with a new bout of uncertainty.—
Mirtha Donastorg,
AJC.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Our awkward hero copes with grief through humor while navigating relationships with her type-A sister (Sian Clifford), her nasty stepmother (Olivia Colman), and, in season 2, a hot priest (Andrew Scott).—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
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This profound snow drought comes at an especially awkward time, compounding a quarter-century of regional aridification that has drained the nation’s two largest reservoirs to precarious depths.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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 13 Mar. 2026.
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