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
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
The slowdown comes at an awkward time shippers as look to move goods via air ahead of the holiday season.
—
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 7 Nov. 2025
The situation is also awkward since, as one female founder wrote me, these early stage payouts may reflect a vote of confidence in men that is not always extended to women.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
This team is clearly stuck in a bad and awkward place because of past decisions — most notably the 2022 Deshaun Watson trade — and is on a second straight year of trotting an uninspiring and uncompetitive offense onto the field each week.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
When the two couples become friends, lines are crossed and things get awkward.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward
Adjective
-
Although the meeting went smoothly and led to concrete commitments, the bonhomie was strained by uncomfortable questions at a news conference about the issue hanging over the day’s diplomacy.—
-
Rather than telegraphing trouble in paradise, the move could simply be a styling choice—or a response to high temperatures, which cause one’s hands to swell and can make wearing a ring uncomfortable.—
Adjective
-
But in that moment, my 40 years of skiing experience evaporated, and the bulletproof snow and thick crowds transformed me into an anxious and clumsy mess.—
-
Following the adventures of the titular sheep, the franchise’s latest takes place at Mossy Bottom Farm on Halloween Eve, watching as excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch.—
Adjective
-
But the Wolverines were also 21-6 and coming off an embarrassing home loss to Illinois in the final regular-season game.—
-
Alfonsi’s reporting did show up on Canada’s Global TV service, which had been given a feed of the program before the change was made, an embarrassing operational error by CBS News.—
Adjective
-
Meynecke said his footage suggested the whales found their hangers-on annoying.—
-
Thankfully, the best faux garlands offer the look and oftentimes feel of the real thing without the sticky sap or annoying cleanup.—
Adjective
-
Director Michael Arden, meanwhile, is up to his elbows just moving the cumbersome Legos of Dane Laffrey’s set around.—
-
The government has relaxed its once-cumbersome visa process and invested heavily in airport and road upgrades to make the country’s immense, underexplored landscapes more accessible.—
Adjective
-
The camera becomes unsteady and points toward the sky and then returns to the street view showing Good’s SUV careening away.—
-
The camera becomes unsteady and points toward the sky and then returns to the street view showing Good’s SUV careening away.—
Adjective
-
Neighbors fear rising violence Residents said the shooting has left them uneasy.—
-
But by evening, an uneasy calm had settled across the city.—
Adjective
-
Jokic didn’t overtake Jamal Murray as Denver’s leading scorer until their seventh game of the season, after a 33-point performance Wednesday against a Miami Heat frontcourt that was woefully undersized and inexperienced the instant Bam Adebayo exited with a foot injury.—
-
Henderson has struggled in that role as a rookie, and Jennings is inexperienced at the pro level.—
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share