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
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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
Charlotte will welcome him back to the rotation soon but things could be a little awkward for the time being.
—
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
The wilderness scenes have some foundational issues to deal with as well, like the always awkward moment when a crash survivor who hasn’t done anything of note since the show began is abruptly thrust into prominence.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025
Dalton Knecht found himself in one of the most awkward NBA situations, playing for the Lakers again after being dealt to Charlotte in a trade that ultimately was rescinded.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025
But Denver would have been awkward for Fangio, returning only one year after getting fired.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
The wilderness scenes have some foundational issues to deal with as well, like the always awkward moment when a crash survivor who hasn’t done anything of note since the show began is abruptly thrust into prominence.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025
Dalton Knecht found himself in one of the most awkward NBA situations, playing for the Lakers again after being dealt to Charlotte in a trade that ultimately was rescinded.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025
But Denver would have been awkward for Fangio, returning only one year after getting fired.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
-
Living there was an uncomfortable experience for Petito, her friend Rose Davis says in the series.—
Barry Levitt,
TIME,
17 Feb. 2025
-
From tornadoes to mudslides and floods and more floods, Kentucky has endured an unlucky streak, stretching back too many uncomfortable years to count, of being pounded by one climate disaster after another.—
Tricia Fulks Kelley,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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What starts with a clumsy confession that threatened to derail their relationship altogether, ends with Mark and Helly closer than ever.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Take a deep breath because these claims form just one part of a clumsy web of viral content, in which Ronaldo, Messi and their children are part of the collateral.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Then came a five-game losing streak to close the season that included competitive defeats to Playoff teams Penn State and Oregon along with three embarrassing losses to former West foes.—
Jesse Temple,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
-
With little power in the minority to stop the onslaught, Democrats instead used the all-night debate to force GOP senators into potentially embarrassing votes -- including the first one, on blocking tax breaks to billionaires.—
LISA MASCARO,
arkansasonline.com,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
For one, Barber and Sweetin co-signed one fan’s take describing the youngest Tanner sibling, Michelle (played by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) as increasingly annoying and borderline spoiled as the series went on.—
John Russell,
People.com,
21 Feb. 2025
-
This is occasionally annoying (or more than occasionally).—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The weight of his five-year, $215 million deal became a cumbersome riddle the front office couldn’t solve.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2025
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Public insurance adjusters may start reaching out to affected homeowners offering help through the cumbersome claims process and promising to get them the most money possible.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
And will assuredly remain so, barring a highly unexpected climb up the standings from a team that has been unsteady all season.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2025
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While working a route in Aurora’s 9th Ward, Lockhart noticed an elderly man out walking his dog who was unsteady, ultimately falling and injuring his head.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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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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
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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
Articles Related to awkward
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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