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Showing results for awkward. Search instead for awkward/3.
Definitions

awkward

[awk-werd] / ˈɔk wərd /
ADJECTIVE
clumsy, inelegant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amateurish rude stiff
WEAK
all thumbs artless blundering bulky bumbling bungling butterfingers coarse floundering gawky graceless green having two left feet having two left hands incompetent inept inexpert klutzy lumbering maladroit oafish stumbling uncoordinated uncouth unfit ungainly ungraceful unhandy unpolished unrefined unskilled unskillful
Antonyms
WEAK
adroit artful clever convenient dexterous easy elegant graceful handy skillful straightforward
ADJECTIVE
difficult to handle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annoying cumbersome dangerous inconvenient perilous risky troublesome uncomfortable unwieldy
WEAK
bulky chancy cramped disagreeable discommodious hard to use hazardous incommodious unhandy unmanageable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
convenient easy helpful safe secure
WEAK
adroit artful clever dexterous elegant graceful handy skillful straightforward
ADJECTIVE
embarrassing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
delicate difficult embarrassed inconvenient painful ticklish troublesome uncomfortable unpleasant
WEAK
compromising ill at ease inopportune perplexing sticky thorny trying untimely
Antonyms
STRONGEST
delightful easy helpful painless pleasant straightforward
WEAK
adroit artful clever convenient dexterous elegant graceful handy skillful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Domestically, Lawrence Okolie, with his awkward, grappling-heavy style, could offer a different kind of challenge.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Gangly and awkward, Bohm was not drafted out of high school or offered a scholarship by Nebraska, his school of choice.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

The dispute between the government and Anthropic has put Palantir in an awkward situation.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Kevin Warsh is facing one of the most awkward Federal Reserve leadership transitions in decades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

As I left my hiding spot, I heard the ablutionist take another piece and both men erupt into another fit of awkward laughter.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.