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
Even if the Black Caucus survives, the bruising fights emerging in the party and the awkward political alignments emerging are likely to have longer-term ramifications.
—
Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
If your husband can limit his exposure to them without having to flee his own house, the situation may feel less awkward.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
Apartments are messy, unpredictable and full of awkward objects.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
McVay had spent the previous availability explaining the reason for his somber and dour countenance during an awkward news conference the night before.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
If your husband can limit his exposure to them without having to flee his own house, the situation may feel less awkward.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
Apartments are messy, unpredictable and full of awkward objects.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
McVay had spent the previous availability explaining the reason for his somber and dour countenance during an awkward news conference the night before.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
-
Vinod brought the long view and the uncomfortable predictions.—
Brian Solis,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Say goodbye to uncomfortable underwear that digs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
But a clumsy tackle and a penalty shootout later, and Arsenal left Budapest with nothing.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Once in the water, where crocodiles have the home-ground advantage, large mammals become clumsy, oxygen-limited and vulnerable to rotational forces they are poorly equipped to resist.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Yankees have made the postseason in eight out of the last nine seasons, but have made just one Fall Classic that ended in embarrassing fashion.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
In one particularly embarrassing incident for the agency, a man not only jumped the fence but got to the front door of the White House and entered before being apprehended.—
Matt Viser,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
He-Man was now a jolly, quip-ready hero, whose best friends were scaredy-cat Cringer (a green-and-yellow tiger who transformed into Battle Cat), and an annoying, hovering magician called Orko.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
-
Why Microsoft passkeys may feel confusing at first Security upgrades can be annoying.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Swimsuits for women my size are typically cumbersome, made with a confusing excess of fabric, and frumpy.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
-
But the process of obtaining records through the city’s official public records system can be cumbersome and lengthy.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Play Me is third in a series of startling collaborations with producer Justin Raisen, making an unsteady blend of hip-hop textures and the noisy avant-garde.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
-
San Jose police officers reported Beas Solorio as having bloodshot eyes, an unsteady gait, slurred speech and the odor of alcohol.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Until these vexing unknowns are figured out, AI for mental health will be in an uneasy position and subject to strident criticisms and concerns.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Other Western media outlets, meanwhile, are growing more uneasy about what possible interviews with Lai could mean for their presence in China, The Associated Press reported.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
The team overachieved this season partly because Mazzulla turned an inexperienced supporting cast into a strength.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Short selling can be an intellectually demanding approach to the market, and many inexperienced traders fall into a trap, lured by overvaluation and hype.—
David Capablanca,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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