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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Things on the homefront get even more complicated when Lee’s estranged grifter father, Lee Raybon Senior (Jones), unexpectedly arrives in town – especially awkward since Lee has always told Francis that her grandfather was dead. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026 Things are awkward between Kat and Cooper at dinner, which happens to be on a crane in the sky. — Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026 That extra dose of voyeurism, for an audience that’s constantly being let in on deep and awkward personal secrets from these characters, can happen because of the beautifully overstuffed roadhouse setting designed by Tim Mackabee. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026 During the Scream actor’s weekend reunion at the Midsummer Scream event with Skeet Ulrich, Lee Waddell, and more tied to the 1996 slasher classic’s 30th anniversary, a mid-presentation fan Q&A led to an awkward moment in front of the crowd. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for awkward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward

Adjective

Most companies find the first one uncomfortable, because nobody ever chose.

— Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Spending more time boarding isn’t merely uncomfortable or inconvenient.

— Paula Span, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of uncomfortable

Adjective

The question about Vrabel's family counseling sessions that followed an embarrassing unfurling of a years-long relationship between him and a reporter was met with an answer that ultimately discussed offensive line combination blocks.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Individuals can't plead the Fifth before Congress simply to avoid embarrassing testimony.

— Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Adjective

Wrangler Another piece on our wish list is a new take on an old classic, the Pieced Chaps Flare Jean, which offer the look of traditional chaps without the cumbersome weight of layered leather and denim.

— Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Yet those isolated cases were the result of years of cumbersome diplomacy and legislation.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of cumbersome

Adjective

Some users appeared to grow uneasy, even as Polymarket let people bet on whether the fires would spread to nearby counties or when they might be contained.

— Cole Reynolds, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026
The doll arrives at an uneasy moment for the brand it’s built on.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of uneasy

Adjective

There will be no lifeguards, and county rangers caution that the beach, like many along the Northern California coast, can have rip currents that pose a threat to inexperienced swimmers.

— Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
So Harbaugh created this competition of two inexperienced kickers.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of inexperienced

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awkwardly

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“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/awkward. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of awkward

adjective

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OMG, This Is So Awkward. Merp.

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Synonyms of awkward

adjective

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Articles Related to awkward

OMG, This Is So Awkward. Merp.

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Words from the 'Odyssey'

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