uncomfortable

adjective

un·​com·​fort·​able
ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl
-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-bəl
-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-bəl How to pronounce uncomfortable (audio)
-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-bəl
-ˈkəm-fər-bəl
-ˈkəm-fə-bəl
Synonyms of uncomfortablenext
1
: causing discomfort or annoyance
an uncomfortable chair
an uncomfortable performance
2
: feeling discomfort : uneasy
was uncomfortable with them
uncomfortably
ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-blē
-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-blē
-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-blē How to pronounce uncomfortable (audio)
-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-blē
-ˈkəm-fər-blē
-ˈkəm-fə-blē
adverb

Examples of uncomfortable in a Sentence

You look uncomfortable in that chair. Would you like to sit here instead? The silence went on so long that it became very uncomfortable. We were in the uncomfortable position of asking for money. I was uncomfortable about talking to them. She's uncomfortable being in the spotlight.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But chefs told Gualtieri that this standard could be uncomfortable. Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 3 July 2026 Summer weather is uncomfortable enough — why bring underwire into the mix? Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 Reality does not change because people are uncomfortable discussing hard topics. Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Many competitors often report feeling sluggish, sleepy, or uncomfortable afterward. Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncomfortable was in 1573

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Cite this Entry

“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncomfortable. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

uncomfortable

adjective
un·​com·​fort·​able ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə(r)-bəl How to pronounce uncomfortable (audio)
-ˈkəm(p)-fə(r)t-ə-bəl
ˈən-
1
: causing discomfort
an uncomfortable chair
2
: feeling discomfort : uneasy

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