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awkward
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lacking social grace and assurance<preteens feeling awkward at their first formal dance>Synonymsclumsy, gauche, graceless, inelegant, roughhewn, stiff, stilted, uncomfortable, uneasy, ungraceful, woodenRelated Wordsgawky, 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, unpretentiousNear Antonymsassured, calm, collected, composed, confident, cool, placid, poised, serene, secure, self-assured, self-confident, self-possessed, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbedAntonymsgraceful, suave, urbane
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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>Synonymsbotched, bungling, clumsy, fumbled, inept, inexpert, maladroitRelated Wordsamateur, amateurish, crude, green, incompetent, ineffectual, inefficient, inexperienced, unpolished, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful; careless, sloppy, tacky, tactless, undiplomatic; ill-advised, ineffective, ineffectual, misdirected, misguidedNear Antonymsable, accomplished, adept, capable, clever, competent, consummate, crackerjack, expert, masterful, masterly, polished, professional, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented; diplomatic, easy, effortless, gracious, smooth, tactfulAntonymsadroit, deft, dexterous (also dextrous), facile
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causing embarrassment<the awkward situation of having to listen in as your teacher talks about you to your parents>Synonymsdiscomfiting, disconcerting, disturbing, embarrassing, flustering, uncomfortableRelated Wordsconfusing, difficult, disagreeable, impossible, inconvenient, intolerable, troublesome, unpleasant, unwieldy; debasing, degrading, demeaning, humbling, humiliating, mortifyingNear Antonymsagreeable, comfortable, convenient, pleasing
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causing difficulty, discomfort, or annoyance<our surprise guests came at a very awkward time>— see inconvenient 1
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difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design<that manual can opener is awkward to hold>— see cumbersome
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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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