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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective awkward contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of awkward are clumsy, gauche, inept, and maladroit. While all these words mean "not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct)," awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact.

periods of awkward silence

In what contexts can clumsy take the place of awkward?

While the synonyms clumsy and awkward are close in meaning, clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

a clumsy mechanic

When would gauche be a good substitute for awkward?

In some situations, the words gauche and awkward are roughly equivalent. However, gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

When might inept be a better fit than awkward?

The words inept and awkward are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

a hopelessly inept defense attorney

When could maladroit be used to replace awkward?

The meanings of maladroit and awkward largely overlap; however, maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations.

a maladroit politician

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 awkward Creating character is not among Murphy and Robertson’s strengths, and their pivot to awkward sentimentality throws the whole negotiation into disarray. Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025 However, that deal got nixed because the Lakers failed Williams’ physical, creating an awkward situation. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2025 Sisterhood in sports can come with awkward moments, though. Evan Drellich, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 In fact, the timing of the 11th annual event in Santa Monica made for some awkward — even, some would say, problematic — optics and messaging for these celebrities. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
  • Because that bigger picture is a murky, uncomfortable state.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Not only is this uncomfortable, but scratching (which is hard to resist) can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.
    Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Raw also advertised Bayley challenging Lyra Valkyria for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship, Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio and the world’s most clumsy GM Adam Pearce making his next fumble of the worst storyline going this WrestleMania season between Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair and Iyo Sky.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • This is why the Trump administration’s DOGE exercise — while clumsy at times — is such an important endeavor despite Democratic efforts to discredit it.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • All of his answers are incredibly embarrassing, a total disaster.
    Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • On several levels, this has been an embarrassing week for the organization.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Few things are as annoying as a vacuum cleaner that leaves a strip of dust by the baseboards and in the corners.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Ding-dong ditched … well into adulthood—one person rang a neighbor's doorbell repeatedly just to be annoying.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 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
  • Over the years the two musicians would meet, notably once in 1981 for a special benefit concert in Central Park, but notoriously had an unsteady relationship.
    Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Now Raising Alarm in the US Meanwhile, business sentiment remains unsteady, with the National Federation of Independent Business' (NFIB) Uncertainty Index rising 4 points to 104 in February—its second-highest reading since the index's inception in 1973.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, some attendees at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, started to feel uneasy.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But Sherrill remains uneasy about what could happen next.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With the present geopolitical situation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, landmines are making a very unpleasant comeback.
    David Szondy, New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In our testing, the formula feels like a gel-serum—and doesn't get heavy, gloopy, or otherwise unpleasant.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on awkward

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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