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Showing results for awkward. Search instead for awkwar.
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.

“Rooster” hasn’t earned the soaring reviews those other shows enjoyed, but some of the ones viewers love now also had awkward beginnings before they figured out what they needed to be.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

And, finally, he played one of a set of awkward husbands who come to life singing “Carry On Wayward Son” together.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Was jumping from board member to management awkward?

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

The complicated relationship has led to a few awkward missteps.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Emma and I laugh and ensure them that we love noise—honestly, it’s better than awkward silence—as Melanie and Hannah grab their purses and run through a list of last-minute instructions.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

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