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
Advertisement Advertisement Those earlier interactions, in which Trump often spoke favorably of Putin to a degree that made even some Republicans uncomfortable, are coloring expectations for Friday’s summit over ending Russia’s war with Ukraine.
—
Brian Bennett, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
That’s where an uncomfortable snap could actually work to his advantage.
—Sam McDowell 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Several students felt uncomfortable and did not attend the next day of the course.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
For a nation obsessed with hearing its own story told and retold, there is perhaps something uncomfortable about looking too long at the original teller.
—Matthew Redmond
august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Brian Bennett, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
That’s where an uncomfortable snap could actually work to his advantage.
—Sam McDowell 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Several students felt uncomfortable and did not attend the next day of the course.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
For a nation obsessed with hearing its own story told and retold, there is perhaps something uncomfortable about looking too long at the original teller.
—Matthew Redmond
august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomfortable
Adjective
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After weeks of acrimony, concern and harsh statements, the dispute over who will control the River Forest Civic Center building at 8020 W. Madison seems to be headed toward a resolution.—
Bob Skolnik,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
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While the comparison of slave babies being taken from their mommas, and immigrant children being separated from their parents might seem a bit harsh to some, the pain is the same.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This puts us at risk for more than regulatory trouble or embarrassing model errors.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Heat is delivered by chiles, hot sauce, red chili flakes or simply an embarrassing amount of freshly ground black pepper.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The United States and China have settled into a steady state of pragmatic, if uneasy, détente.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
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Reading Zeller’s book, I was reminded that there is a kind of uneasy fellowship in this condition—a vast, involuntary community of people mapping out their lives between attacks, haunted by uncertainty but sustained in part by accounts like his.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Beyond that, the Trent Frederic deal doesn’t inspire confidence and the team’s continuing goaltending issues are also a sore spot.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
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Sanchez could potentially provide additional depth at catcher if Carlos Narvaez winds up missing extended time with his sore right knee.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The coming weeks are the slow limp forwards that Putin wants: Tension between Trump and Zelensky first, followed by European pressure on Trump to ease off on Zelensky, followed by awkward and technical stalling over a three-way meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelensky.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
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Kyler Murray completed seven of his eight passes, with one awkward misread going for a pick: Third-year running back Bam Knight busted out on a 27-yard rush, and his backfield teammate Emari Demercado took a screen pass all the way to the house.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This is a huge bonus for a clumsy gal like myself, who often trips over air.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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The scale of the problem became terrifyingly clear during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the Japanese government struggled to respond to a nationwide crisis with clumsy digital tools.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Once tooth enamel is lost, the tooth nerves are exposed, which is painful and makes the teeth sensitive.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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Although the condition itself isn’t typically painful, raw or blistered skin can lead to pain and swelling.7 Secondary skin infections—like if a blister is exposed to bacteria and gets infected—can also cause painful symptoms.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Once again, America confronts the unpleasant truth that the Constitution does not expressly guarantee a right to vote — and neither will the Supreme Court.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
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The options are unpleasant tenements on one side and unaffordable houses on the other.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomfortable. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
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