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
My mom is a hairstylist and is on her feet all day, so wearing uncomfortable high heels for hours at a wedding is a daunting task.
—
Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
This is uncomfortable for leaders because messy teams feel inefficient.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 15 Mar. 2026
Most investors instinctively define risk as market volatility — the uncomfortable reality of stock prices rising and falling over time.
—Steve Booren, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
And that is the uncomfortable position Florida (26-7) is in for the first time in three years.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
This is uncomfortable for leaders because messy teams feel inefficient.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 15 Mar. 2026
Most investors instinctively define risk as market volatility — the uncomfortable reality of stock prices rising and falling over time.
—Steve Booren, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
And that is the uncomfortable position Florida (26-7) is in for the first time in three years.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomfortable
Adjective
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Residents describe the smell as a harsh chemical paint smell, similar to the smell in a nail salon.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Hardliners appeared to consolidate power in Iran as a result of US and Israeli air strikes, with experts fearing restrictions on dissent could be even harsher.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In January, the Vatican’s highest Court of Cassation upheld the lower court’s decision to throw out the prosecutor’s appeal of the first trial entirely because prosecutor Alessandro Diddi committed an embarrassing rookie procedural error.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
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This is embarrassing to say the least.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Shadow of Turkmenchay The uneasy relationship between the two powers stretches back nearly two centuries.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
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Residents who attended the rally said the situation has left many neighbors uneasy.—
Ross DiMattei,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Brandin Podziemski scored 25 and Gui Santos had 22, while Quinten Post returned from a sore ankle to score 20.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
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With Anthony Edwards laboring because of a sore right knee, Randle and Ayo Dosunmu stepped in to pick up the scoring slack.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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From historic wins, like the first woman to win for cinematography and seventh-ever Oscar tie, to awkward silences to moving tributes and very, very long bits from host Conan O’Brien, the March 15 ceremony was emotional and eventful.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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During the acceptance speech for Two People Exchanging Saliva, an awkward moment occurred when the microphone started to descend and the camera shifted to host Conan O'Brien, who was still waiting for the speeches to end.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Actors from Reiner’s movies gathered onstage — although the camera didn’t catch their faces, a sadly clumsy gaffe.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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One of the happy accidents that occurred as a result of not getting a pickup, which was very painful in 2005, was the opportunity to come back in 2014 and look at a much bigger picture.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
22 Mar. 2026
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UConn ended Boston College’s hockey season in the most painful of ways on Friday at the Garden in the Hockey East semifinal.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Yet insects may also be attracted to scents unpleasant to us as several notable plant species instruct.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
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And a condition in which people experience unpleasant skin sensations such as burning, stabbing or a feeling like an electrical shock occurred in about 23% of those taking the higher dose of Wegovy versus 6% of those taking the lower dose and less than 1% in people who received a placebo.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomfortable. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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