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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in annoying

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 These schemes often drove the show’s humor, along with the awkward social dynamics Fielder engineered by acting oblivious to the norms of human behavior. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 If Sherrod Brown wins his Senate race, Ohio’s delegation will be the most awkward in the chamber next Congress. — semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026 New York is getting roasted for an awkward giveaway T-shirt gaffe, made funnier by the team proudly posting the evidence on social media. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Lanterns works so well in part because it was conceived as a standalone complete story, albeit one with ramifications for future DCU projects, thereby freeing up the writers to create something truly unique, with no forced, awkward tie-ins. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for awkward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for awkward

Adjective

The quarterback Mike Macdonald has earned his paychecks from making quarterbacks uncomfortable.

— Sam McDowell October 25, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Probably not enough to win, but enough to make laying nearly a touchdown uncomfortable.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncomfortable

Adjective

Here, his clumsy, winky, affected, and self-undercutting direction can’t even work the charming Jenna Ortega to a great performance, as her Klara is flattened into a bundle of manic pixie mannerisms both physical and verbal.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026
Some Latinas are nerds, and some Latinas are quirky, and some of them are goofy and some of them are clumsy.

— Johanna Ferreira, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of clumsy

Adjective

These demands can become expensive, stressful, or embarrassing for victims, who, in desperation, turn to the internet for help.

— Kim Key, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
With 10 days to prepare, Schottenheimer’s Cowboys played an embarrassing first half en route to a 23-13 loss on Sunday night at Green Bay.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Adjective

Imagine a congressional coalition formed by kicking out the lawmakers, on either side, who are annoying—the Ted Cruzes and the John Fettermans.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Indeed, the survey showed that use of the horn is the most common action when drivers consider another driver to be annoying or angering them.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of annoying

Adjective

Enter the fast-growing world of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, known by the somewhat cumbersome acronym of eVTOLs.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Less cumbersome portable hifi listening Accessibility Innovations improving life for the elderly and people with disabilities.

— Time, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cumbersome

Adjective

Oil prices remained unsteady on Wednesday following big swings this month on uncertainty about when the energy industry can return to normal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
As on television, Seyfried nails Holmes’s wide eyes, unsteady mannerisms, deep voice, and mysterious vocal cadence that makes the character both unreal and oddly human.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsteady

Adjective

Giving team members insight into what is known, what remains unchanged and what may come next can help people navigate uneasy periods of uncertainty with greater confidence.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Experts say Chinese officials likely felt uneasy about that opening.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of uneasy

Adjective

Right tackle Joe Alt (neck) and left guard Kayode Awosika (fibula) remain out, meaning rookie center Jake Slaughter will continue to anchor a front that has featured several inexperienced players over the last two games.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
These experienced and skilled athletes, who are often 22 or 23 years old, are appealing to coaches, especially when compared with inexperienced and physically less developed freshmen.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of awkward

adjective

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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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