uncomfortable

adjective

un·​com·​fort·​able
ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl
-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-bəl
-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-bəl How to pronounce uncomfortable (audio)
-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-bəl
-ˈkəm-fər-bəl
-ˈkəm-fə-bəl
Synonyms of uncomfortablenext
1
: causing discomfort or annoyance
an uncomfortable chair
an uncomfortable performance
2
: feeling discomfort : uneasy
was uncomfortable with them
uncomfortably
ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-blē
-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-blē
-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-blē How to pronounce uncomfortable (audio)
-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-blē
-ˈkəm-fər-blē
-ˈkəm-fə-blē
adverb

Examples of uncomfortable in a Sentence

You look uncomfortable in that chair. Would you like to sit here instead? The silence went on so long that it became very uncomfortable. We were in the uncomfortable position of asking for money. I was uncomfortable about talking to them. She's uncomfortable being in the spotlight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sutskever seemed uncomfortable with this idea. Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 This is where the story gets uncomfortable for most boardrooms. Stuart N. Brotman, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026 The costume was itchy and uncomfortable. Beverly Gage, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026 This can be a bit of an uncomfortable energy, as Mars is pure fire, whereas Pisces is the most watery zodiac sign. Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncomfortable was in 1573

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncomfortable. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

uncomfortable

adjective
un·​com·​fort·​able ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə(r)-bəl How to pronounce uncomfortable (audio)
-ˈkəm(p)-fə(r)t-ə-bəl
ˈən-
1
: causing discomfort
an uncomfortable chair
2
: feeling discomfort : uneasy
uncomfortably adverb

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