AWKWARD Synonyms: 238 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'awkward' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of awkward are clumsy , gauche , inept , and maladroit . While all these words mean "not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct)," awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact. // periods of awkward silence

Q: In what contexts can 'clumsy' take the place of 'awkward'?

While the synonyms clumsy and awkward are close in meaning, clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill. // a clumsy mechanic

Q: When would 'gauche' be a good substitute for 'awkward'?

In some situations, the words gauche and awkward are roughly equivalent. However, gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding. // felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

Q: When might 'inept' be a better fit than 'awkward'?

The words inept and awkward are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy. // a hopelessly inept defense attorney

Q: When could 'maladroit' be used to replace 'awkward'?

The meanings of maladroit and awkward largely overlap; however, maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations. // a maladroit politician

awkward

adjective

ˈȯ-kwərd

Definition of awkward

as in uncomfortable

lacking social grace and assurance preteens feeling awkward at their first formal dance

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in embarrassing

causing embarrassment the awkward situation of having to listen as your host and hostess quarrel loudly in the next room

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as in annoying

causing difficulty, discomfort, or annoyance our surprise guests came at a very awkward time

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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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as in unsteady

having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner an awkward person who is always tripping over herself

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as in unhandy

lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands an awkward catch of a fly ball

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective awkward contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of awkward are clumsy, gauche, inept, and maladroit. While all these words mean "not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct)," awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact.

periods of awkward silence

In what contexts can clumsy take the place of awkward?

While the synonyms clumsy and awkward are close in meaning, clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

a clumsy mechanic

When would gauche be a good substitute for awkward?

In some situations, the words gauche and awkward are roughly equivalent. However, gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

When might inept be a better fit than awkward?

The words inept and awkward are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

a hopelessly inept defense attorney

When could maladroit be used to replace awkward?

The meanings of maladroit and awkward largely overlap; however, maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations.

a maladroit politician

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 format was part talk show, part first date, and the tone was often flirtatious and awkward, spawning several viral moments over the years. — Amy B Wang, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026 Though pictured largely unfurnished, the area looks well-proportioned, with room for a sofa and a coffee table, plus an entertainment center, even if those trademark sloping walls might make installing some furniture a little awkward. — New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026 Clarity may feel awkward, Libra, but overcommitting feels worse. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026 Costco is an awkward exhibit for putting shareholder-value maximization in the driver’s seat. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for awkward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward

Adjective

Unlike those folks from the other side of the country who fill cold-weather stadiums for bad teams during snowstorms and brag about it, the local sports fans stay away from struggling teams in uncomfortable situations and shrug about it.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
This is uncomfortable to implement, because someone in legal, compliance or operations has to sign their name to a permanent record of judgment calls the business used to make quietly and never revisit.

— Krupesh Bhat, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of uncomfortable

Adjective

Similarly, which athlete had the worst attempt at rapping and which rapper had the most embarrassing attempt at athletics?

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 25 Aug. 2026
The news of San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York’s arrest in Ohio Sunday for initially engaging in prostitution is undoubtedly embarrassing for York and concerning for the franchise.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Adjective

Adults’s Gen-Z characters tend to see their comforts as transient, their identities as mutable, and seriousness as an annoying obligation, all of which the second season pokes at a bit.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Fluctuating estrogen levels can disrupt the nerves responsible for your sense of scent, leading to this symptom that’s equally bizarre and annoying.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of annoying

Adjective

Another important implication is that once a country is removed from the State Department list, getting it back on is bureaucratically cumbersome.

— Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Fall decor that is too cluttered, sharp, or cumbersome is often to blame.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of cumbersome

Adjective

So even if the Switch 2’s frame rate is unsteady, the handheld screen will hide the stutters and dips.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
But the firm also highlights a 'bull case' where the Strait of Hormuz remains unsteady past the November 3rd elections in America and Brent pops back into the $110 range.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsteady

Adjective

As the video popped up on social media and the Spanish-language Facebook group Danbury Al Dia, Hernandez grew uneasy.

— Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
In addition to Cima and her father, the film centers on Hig and Bangley (Josh Brolin), two very different men whose uneasy partnership is shaped by the harsh realities of their new world.

— Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of uneasy

Adjective

The Holbrook sisters are undersocialized and inexperienced with the world, and Herzog sees them as figures out of a fable, dreamers who talk incessantly about love and seem connected to the elemental and the ancient.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
When someone with 20 years of expertise is willing to look inexperienced for 20 minutes, everyone else gets permission to learn.

— Pankaj Prasoon, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of inexperienced

Browse Nearby Words

awing

awkward

awkwardly

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of awkward

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Synonyms of awkward

adjective

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OMG, This Is So Awkward. Merp.

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