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awkward

/ˈɔk.wɚd/adjective2 syllables

Awkward means: lacking grace or skill in manner or movement or performance.

Synonyms for awkward33

adjective, as in lacking grace or skill in manner or movement or performance

gawky, clumsy, clunky, ungainly, unwieldy, graceless, ungraceful, labored, laboured, strained, wooden, maladroit, ugly

adjective, as in not elegant or graceful in expression

clumsy, cumbersome, inapt, inept, ill-chosen, infelicitous

adjective, as in difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape

bunglesome, clumsy, ungainly, unwieldy, unmanageable

adjective, as in hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment

embarrassing, sticky, unenviable, difficult, hard

adjective, as in socially uncomfortable; unsure and constrained in manner

ill at ease, uneasy, uncomfortable

adjective, as in causing inconvenience

inconvenient

also used for awkward

lubberly, unhandy, recalcitrant, gauche

Includes material from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Opposites of awkward

graceful

What does awkward mean?6

adjective

1

lacking grace or skill in manner or movement or performance“an awkward dancer”

2

not elegant or graceful in expression“an awkward prose style”

3

difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape“an awkward bundle to carry”

4

hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment“awkward (or embarrassing or difficult) moments in the discussion”

5

socially uncomfortable; unsure and constrained in manner“awkward and reserved at parties”

6

causing inconvenience“they arrived at an awkward time”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Awkward in a sentence

  • I know it's true, but when you say it, it just sounds awkward.espamatics
  • Some sentences, while not grammatically incorrect, may be awkward or unnatural.Lumi
  • First, the trainees are awkward in this company.sacredceltic
  • Critics described the sculpture as deliberately lumpen, heavy, and awkward.rul
  • At first, the trainees were awkward in his company.unknown
  • If you don't think of an excuse quickly, things will become awkward.Yanahma
  • He had a tiny, furry body with awkward wings.Hybrid
  • Seals are clumsy and awkward on land, but very graceful in the water.badgerfan

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.