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
Relevance
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
-
But the rules of the Long Walk are harsh and the stakes could not be higher.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Dolphins, desperate to get their season on track after an embarrassing 33-8 loss to Indianapolis, are not trying to trade receiver Tyreek Hill, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this week.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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Adding insult to injury, Eric and his friend Brian (Cameron Mann) film the incident and plan to post the embarrassing video on social media.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
5 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
-
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
-
After bandaging the bleeding leg Saturday, Bichette woke up sore Sunday, Schneider said.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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The federal rollback has disproportionately impacted states like Virginia and Maryland, which are so close to Washington, and have become a sore point for Republicans as voters react negatively to the hiring reductions.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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After a 21-year absence from Wrigley Field that ended earlier this summer, the weekend ceremonies seemed to signal the conclusion to an awkward, ongoing saga.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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However, nothing negates the unique way in which people from the South embrace socializing with each other, which brings us to a potentially awkward situation that arises often enough and gives grief to even the most polite Southerners.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The rubber sole is also important for clumsy gals like myself.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Camels seem slow, hippos clumsy, phoenixes unstable, lions lazy.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Now supposedly dying from some terminal illness, Julian has gone total hermit mode inside of his cluttered London apartment, where the walls are festooned with the relics of his success and the backrooms are a junk pile of painful memories.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
9 Sep. 2025
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Dig a little deeper by comparing your top three financial goals and sharing your most painful and joyous money memories.—
Mary Clements Evans,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Increase your fiber intake slowly and drink plenty of water to reduce unpleasant side effects like cramping and bloating.—
Courtney Southwick,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
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Any unpleasant government decision—such as the August order blocking voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, on the pretext of preventing scams and terrorist activity—tends to be perceived mostly with passive discontent and immediate adaptation with the search for alternative practical solutions.—
ANDREI KOLESNIKOV,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomfortable. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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