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
That’s a really awkward conversation to have with someone who is trying to help you.
—
Rachel Desantis, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Canadians are furious at Trump and the U.S., and Carney is deftly seizing that anger—and leaving Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre in an awkward spot.
—David Moscrop, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
But anecdotes aren’t evidence, and this left the labs in an awkward spot.
—Laura Hercher, Scientific American, 24 Mar. 2025
Practicing those skills might feel awkward, but gaining workplace influence requires strengthening your conversational muscles with regular and intentional effort, Pryor and Hatton said at a SXSW panel earlier this month.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Rachel Desantis, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Canadians are furious at Trump and the U.S., and Carney is deftly seizing that anger—and leaving Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre in an awkward spot.
—David Moscrop, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
But anecdotes aren’t evidence, and this left the labs in an awkward spot.
—Laura Hercher, Scientific American, 24 Mar. 2025
Practicing those skills might feel awkward, but gaining workplace influence requires strengthening your conversational muscles with regular and intentional effort, Pryor and Hatton said at a SXSW panel earlier this month.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
-
This, again, signals that this is an unusual and uncomfortable situation.—
Tim Maurer,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Depending on your cat’s coat, some products may be uncomfortable or painful.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Kisses her mouth, but the gesture is awkward, clumsy; their teeth strike together, and Brianna winces.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
-
As well as making a star of Alicia Silverstone, the original movie showcased the talents of Paul Rudd who played her stepbrother Josh (and went onto become Phoebe’s partner in Friends and take on the role of Ant Man) and the late Brittany Murphy, who played Cher’s clumsy friend Tai.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, the Knicks suffered one of their most embarrassing losses of the season, trailing by as many as 28, then making a furious third-quarter run to cut the deficit to as little as eight before the Spurs (29-39) ran away with a 120-105 victory at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Zuccarello admitted Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues was embarrassing.—
Joe Smith,
The Athletic,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Frozen snack foods sold under Whole Foods Market’s 365 store brand got recalled nationwide for not being what the packaging says, an annoying mistake to some people but a possibly fatal one to other customers.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2025
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The Achilles — and any accompanying tendonitis — is the most annoying and concerning issue for a skill player who turns 29 in June.—
Troy Renck,
The Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As legal professionals gain increasing authority over AI deployment decisions, new internal stakeholders are introduced, making the organizational process of adopting AI systems more cumbersome.—
Nizan Geslevich Packin,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Like so many others, they are left with an impossible choice: involve the criminal justice system — which may be slow, cumbersome and invasive — or do nothing and hope the situation doesn’t escalate.—
Eric Gonzalez,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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 whole exchange left Brooke feeling a little uneasy.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Sudden shifts in tariffs and federal job cuts have left many investors feeling uneasy.—
Bruce Gil,
Quartz,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This is notable, given that post-Covid brick and mortar shopping has generally become so unpleasant, it’s given rise to the need for a personal shopper.—
Jennifer Leigh Parker,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Less a song than a gag, every individual element is unpleasant: single-entendre lyrics; vocals and synths that aren’t even in the same key; and the less said about Space Cowboy’s guest verse, the better.—
Kristen S. Hé,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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