1
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
preteens feeling awkward at their first formal dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
her awkward handling of the seating arrangements at the wedding reception resulted in many hurt feelings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment
the awkward situation of having to listen as your host and hostess quarrel loudly in the next room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in annoying
causing difficulty, discomfort, or annoyance
our surprise guests came at a very awkward time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in cumbersome
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design
that manual can opener is awkward to hold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in unsteady
having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner
an awkward person who is always tripping over herself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in unhandy
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands
an awkward catch of a fly ball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of awkward
Bookish, awkward Marianne falls in love with the much more popular Connell at school in small-town Ireland.
—
Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Getting rid of the Super Bowl stragglers is awkward.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Hanceville and its county have an occasionally awkward relationship.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
In a compact car like this, touchscreen reach can be awkward anyway.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Getting rid of the Super Bowl stragglers is awkward.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Hanceville and its county have an occasionally awkward relationship.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
In a compact car like this, touchscreen reach can be awkward anyway.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
-
Starmer fired Mandelson in September after a tranche of emails revealed uncomfortable details about his ties to Epstein.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Also, some users reported that rocks, mud and other softer substances get caught in the holes of the sole, making walking uncomfortable.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The tech driving my first clumsy steps included a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) and GPS sensors monitoring each ski’s position and the weight and angle of my heel.—
Kendall Hunter,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Who wants to sit through a fictitious novelist’s clumsy drafts?—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The fallout from the files has consumed much of the news media in recent weeks, dominating headlines and coverage at major news institutions as journalists and independent creators dig through the files for embarrassing nuggets of association about high-profile individuals.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The latest tranche of documents released by the DoJ showed Andrew kneeling over an unidentified woman — a deeply embarrassing image for Buckingham Palace.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
So now James is out here knowing that Siegfried was right, which is annoying.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The Kelce/Swifty thing got très annoying but Mahomes was a married guy with a few kids.—
Linda Perillo,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The process is cumbersome, deliberate, sluggish … and long overdue.—
Bill Swank,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
One approach is to reform outdated and cumbersome permitting processes so clean energy projects, such as for solar and wind power — along with more transmission lines — can be added to our grid more quickly.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The only problem is the Heat are a commendable but unsteady evangelist for trying to win every night out.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The most vulnerable consumers would include those who have unsteady hours at work, paychecks that vary significantly week to week, and often only are able to make the minimum monthly payments.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Stage’s version translates the already uneasy feelings of hearing acid house reduced to happy-go-lucky plastic into something out of an actual acid trip.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Bashar is on the left, his body slightly angled away, his face uneasy.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
All of Quigley’s challengers are politically inexperienced but impassioned Democrats running to the incumbent’s left.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The most common complaints include denying legitimate claims, partnering with inexperienced and unqualified service providers, poor service, and slow response times.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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