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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.

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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

"Socially I can be very awkward – not on purpose – but when it comes to football, I'm really open and happy," he says.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Notice where things feel awkward, inefficient, or slightly annoying.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

‘Oh. I’m sorry,’ I say, feeling awkward and a bit guilty for assuming she was joking.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

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