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
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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
In the final scene, the two women alternate on-screen, eating the awkward dish.
—
Philip Tinari, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Love Is Blind Season 8 is now here, and as always the show brought its share of awkward moments, drama, love triangles, and even couples that seem to actually be in it for the right reasons.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 28 Feb. 2025
The crowd was a small and mostly Black—unusual at underground rap shows in New York nowadays—group of babyfaced, tiny, and awkward teenagers.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 28 Feb. 2025
In this scene, Nathan Lane and Robin Williams sneak Hackman’s character out of a club in drag as the senator goes from feeling incredibly awkward to rather comfortable.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Philip Tinari, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Love Is Blind Season 8 is now here, and as always the show brought its share of awkward moments, drama, love triangles, and even couples that seem to actually be in it for the right reasons.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 28 Feb. 2025
The crowd was a small and mostly Black—unusual at underground rap shows in New York nowadays—group of babyfaced, tiny, and awkward teenagers.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 28 Feb. 2025
In this scene, Nathan Lane and Robin Williams sneak Hackman’s character out of a club in drag as the senator goes from feeling incredibly awkward to rather comfortable.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
-
The traditional process of quitting a job has always been a personal, often uncomfortable experience.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Marco Rubio, the U.S. secretary of State, appeared visibly uncomfortable as the meeting deteriorated.—
Faith E. Pinho,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The character first appears in the franchise’s original film Scream (1996) as the older brother of Tatum Riley (Rose McGowan) and the clumsy police deputy trying to help solve the murders in their town of Woodsboro.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Aviles’ dismissal, for a clumsy challenge on the edge of the penalty area, seemed set to turn the game.—
Martin Rogers,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite the embarrassing moment, Seyfried went home a winner at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2025
-
The Kursk incursion was embarrassing for Moscow and raised questions over its ability to protect its own borders.—
Maria Kostenko, Christian Edwards and Sophie Tanno,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But unexpected allies and converts to the team’s cause appear, too: passengers awaiting a flight to Kabul, an American technology reporter, maybe even that annoying bakery owner.—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
7 Mar. 2025
-
The second week My usual redness around my cheeks had started to fade, and the annoying pimple that had been brewing on my cheek seemed to back off without its usual dramatic entrance.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
These methods work for a coin or two, but would be cumbersome for large deals.—
Dave Birnbaum,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
But now many have become reliant on the practice, especially in rural areas where getting to a medical facility can take longer and be more cumbersome for seniors.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
His unsteady grip on reality means his decisions are guided by insecurity and ego, not the nation’s interests.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Even with that, the rest of the house poses an ongoing danger with anyone unsteady on one’s feet.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The resolution is seeking $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and $2 trillion in spending cuts over the next 10 years, measures that have met opposition from Democrats and made some Republicans uneasy.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
-
In my conversations with barbecue people, there was often uneasy tension about whether craft barbecue is something new or a return to an old way of doing things.—
Rachel Monroe,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This can be an unpleasant odor for humans to encounter, but the critters in the video seem enthusiastic about interacting with the eau de skunk.—
Amanda Kooser,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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These days however, an all-white or all-gray bathroom can act as an unpleasant symbol of an outdated trend, and may seem seriously lacking in pizazz.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to awkward
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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