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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.

This was a genuinely awkward moment for a governor who had pitched herself as a pragmatic centrist, and she paid for it in the headlines.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

The money was given to the daughter of a friend of mine, so it feels awkward.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

It’s led to some awkward silences and classic prank calls.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

In the moments before class, we unloaded our gym bags and shoes into separate lockers outside of the yoga room while exchanging hellos that I expected to be awkward but somehow felt easy and unforced.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

“What if I call and it’s awkward and no one knows what to say? I mean, I don’t even know her.”

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Vocabulary lists containing awkward

The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 3

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The New SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

English Words Derived from Old Norse

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