as in clumsiness
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of awkwardness
Let’s talk about the angst and awkwardness of teenage attraction.
—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
The world of Pride and Prejudice expects women to accommodate male pride as a social fact, to smooth over awkwardness, to accept that status and wealth compensate for coldness or indifference.
—
Literary Hub,
29 June 2026
Since the announcement, my manager has been polite and professional, but there has been an awkwardness between us.
—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Around day three, the awkwardness started to fade.
—
Sascha Brodsky,
PC Magazine,
21 June 2026
All in all, though, Piña and Hawk’s arrival is a relief; despite untold opportunities for fresh awkwardness and turmoil, the film seems more at ease in the company of guests.
—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
19 June 2026
Young Washington, a new biopic, gives us pre-Revolutionary George, early-20s George, pale, petulant, virginal, ramrod-straight, and bristling with awkwardness and ambition.
—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Succumbing to the urge to scroll Instagram the second conversation grows quiet or social awkwardness creeps in.
—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Watson, understandably, seemed to be more comfortable as his interview went on, but there’s no running — for anyone — from the general awkwardness of the whole situation.
—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
The world of Pride and Prejudice expects women to accommodate male pride as a social fact, to smooth over awkwardness, to accept that status and wealth compensate for coldness or indifference.
—
Literary Hub,
29 June 2026
Since the announcement, my manager has been polite and professional, but there has been an awkwardness between us.
—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Around day three, the awkwardness started to fade.
—
Sascha Brodsky,
PC Magazine,
21 June 2026
All in all, though, Piña and Hawk’s arrival is a relief; despite untold opportunities for fresh awkwardness and turmoil, the film seems more at ease in the company of guests.
—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
19 June 2026
Young Washington, a new biopic, gives us pre-Revolutionary George, early-20s George, pale, petulant, virginal, ramrod-straight, and bristling with awkwardness and ambition.
—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Succumbing to the urge to scroll Instagram the second conversation grows quiet or social awkwardness creeps in.
—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Watson, understandably, seemed to be more comfortable as his interview went on, but there’s no running — for anyone — from the general awkwardness of the whole situation.
—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkwardness
Noun
-
In January 2024, Lola was diagnosed with leukemia after her parents initially mistook bruises appearing across her body for childhood clumsiness.
-
The tree, which graces a botanical garden, bears patient witness to all manner of human clumsiness.
Noun
-
Not two years later this tower was to collapse precipitately under its own weight into a pyramid of dust and rubble, only to be rebuilt later, in, unaccountably, all its former gracelessness.
Cite this Entry
“Awkwardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkwardness. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
