uncomfortable

adjective

ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl
Definition of uncomfortablenext
1
as in harsh
causing discomfort unfortunately, dressing up for the dance meant wearing an uncomfortable shirt

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment the uncomfortable situation of running into an ex-friend at a social gathering

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uneasy
lacking social grace and assurance a person who is uncomfortable at parties with lots of strangers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 uncomfortable Very deep or uncomfortable pressure can do the opposite and push the body into a fight-or-flight response. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026 An employee may feel obliged to listen, reassure or reciprocate even when uncomfortable. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Recently, a middle-aged woman came to see me in my ophthalmology clinic because her eyes felt gritty and uncomfortable. — Joshua R. Ehrlich, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 Don’t avoid uncomfortable realities; addressing them head-on will spare you unwelcome surprises later. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomfortable
  1. harsh
  2. embarrassing
  3. uneasy
  4. sore
  5. awkward
  6. clumsy
  7. painful
  8. unpleasant
Adjective
  • The European Commission has set an October deadline for progress in the negotiations, as France and Germany push for harsher measures.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Dehydrated skin is typically caused by dry air, harsh skin care, or the weather.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • Kip Dellinger Santa Monica Desman Stephens’ response to his late hit on quarterback Dante Moore was an embarrassing display of poor judgment and a lack of respect for the game.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • His party’s retreat comes after a series of embarrassing election showings in which the far-right AfD made huge inroads.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of embarrassing
Adjective
  • Many of the women interviewed still feel uneasy about the experience.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There was some uneasy laughter, and then, what everyone else was too afraid to say came from the only person who could.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • The 43-year-old right-hander was making his second start of the year and first since March 30 in a season derailed by a sore hip and hamstring injury.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Arizona catcher Gabriel Moreno won the NL batting title despite being scratched about an hour before first pitch with a sore hamstring.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of sore
Adjective
  • The payoff is that bulky, awkward items like pot lids and foil boxes stop monopolizing a shelf and become easy to grab.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Within this awkward relic of several other ages, New York’s past gets fetishized, chopped up, and whirled together into digestible entertainment.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of awkward
Adjective
  • One of the clumsiest parts of Klosterman’s book is his attempts at political punditry.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Feed your head Neagley gets off to a sluggish start, with a workmanlike, rather clumsy first episode largely spent establishing the main characters and central plot—and the writers lean a bit too hard on constant Chicago callbacks.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • As a young, aspiring writer, Perry yearned for dramatic, painful experiences to give her something to write about.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The album explores heartbreak, healing, faith and survival while shining a light on some of the most painful chapters of Judd's life, including her complicated relationship with her late mother Naomi Judd and Kelley's struggles.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of painful
Adjective
  • As unpleasant as his job might be at the moment, Harbaugh is ostensibly safe.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Depriving the plant of light discourages the development of chlorophyll—the green plant pigment responsible for color—and rids the chicory of an unpleasant flavor.
    — Tamar Adler, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of unpleasant

Browse Nearby Words

uncomely
uncomfortable
uncomfortably
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomfortable. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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