awkward

One entry found.

Entry Word: awkward

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 lacking social grace and assurance <preteens feeling awkward at their first formal dance>

Synonyms clumsy, gauche, graceless, inelegant, roughhewn, stiff, stilted, uncomfortable, uneasy, ungraceful, wooden

Related Words gawky, lubberly, ungainly; boorish, clownish, uncouth; abashed, discomfited, discomforted, discomposed, disconcerted, discountenanced, embarrassed; agitated, bothered, chagrined, dismayed, disquieted, distressed, disturbed, fazed, flustered, jittery, jumpy, mortified, nervous, nonplussed (also nonplused), perturbed, rattled, unhinged, unsettled, upset; diffident, insecure, meek, modest, self-doubting, timid, unassertive, unassuming, unpretentious

Near Antonyms assured, calm, collected, composed, confident, cool, placid, poised, serene, secure, self-assured, self-confident, self-possessed, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed

Antonyms graceful, suave, urbane

2 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>

Synonyms botched, bungling, clumsy, fumbled, inept, inexpert, maladroit

Related Words amateur, amateurish, crude, green, incompetent, ineffectual, inefficient, inexperienced, unpolished, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful; careless, sloppy, tacky, tactless, undiplomatic; ill-advised, ineffective, ineffectual, misdirected, misguided

Near Antonyms able, accomplished, adept, capable, clever, competent, consummate, crackerjack, expert, masterful, masterly, polished, professional, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented; diplomatic, easy, effortless, gracious, smooth, tactful

Antonyms adroit, deft, dexterous (also dextrous), facile

3 causing embarrassment <the awkward situation of having to listen in as your teacher talks about you to your parents>

Synonyms discomfiting, disconcerting, disturbing, embarrassing, flustering, uncomfortable

Related Words confusing, difficult, disagreeable, impossible, inconvenient, intolerable, troublesome, unpleasant, unwieldy; debasing, degrading, demeaning, humbling, humiliating, mortifying

Near Antonyms agreeable, comfortable, convenient, pleasing

4 causing difficulty, discomfort, or annoyance <our surprise guests came at a very awkward time> — see inconvenient 1
5 difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design <that manual can opener is awkward to hold> — see cumbersome
6 lacking in physical ease and grace in movement or in the use of the hands <an awkward person who is always tripping over herself> — see clumsy 1

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