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
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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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
-
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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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
-
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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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
-
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 24 Mar. 2026.
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