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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.

If you feel awkward about asking for a discount, just remember: Your grandmother on Medicare might be paying five or 10 times less for the same blood work or MRI.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2026

Things could get awkward Saturday night when US President Donald Trump takes his seat at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, his first time attending the gala while in office.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

Beijing stumbled into this awkward position through a logic that was locally coherent but ultimately self-defeating.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

There are so many questions – and an awkward few hours ahead for the prime minister.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Dodger took another awkward step, and Akira looked down to see what was wrong.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Vocabulary lists containing awkward

The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 3

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English Words Derived from Old Norse

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