awkward
Hard to handle
Awkward describes something clumsy, ungainly, or lacking grace.
An awkward movement is physically ungraceful.
An awkward silence is socially uncomfortable—people don't know what to say.
An awkward situation puts someone in a difficult position: It was awkward running into my ex at the party.
The word often captures that cringe-inducing feeling when something doesn't flow naturally.
An awkward angle or awkward shape is hard to manage or maneuver around.
Lacking ease of movement
- fumbleHandle with clumsy fingers
- stumbleLose footing momentarily
- butterfingersClumsy dropper of things
- lumberingMoving heavily and awkwardly
gawky · uncoordinated · bungle · klutz · maladroit · ham-handed · clunky · graceless
Deviating from normal patterns
- misshapenAbnormally or poorly formed
- lopsidedUnequally balanced
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
- asymmetricalNot equal on both sides
crooked · ill-fitting · ungainly · disproportionate · cumbersome · bulky · unwieldy · contorted
Causing difficulty or bother
- trickyDifficult to handle
- problematicCausing difficulty or concern
- stickyApt to adhere
- thornyHaving sharp protrusions
delicate · cumbersome · unmanageable · troublesome · vexing · complicated · unwieldy · bothersome
Socially awkward, unrefined
- indelicateLacking refinement or tact
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
- maladroitLacking physical deftness
- blunderingActing with clumsy incompetence
undiplomatic · ham-fisted · insensitive · indiscreet · unpolished · bumbling · inept · crude
Causing awkward self-consciousness
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- stiltedUnnaturally formal in expression
- strainedUnder uncomfortable tension
tense · uneasy · self-conscious · tongue-tied · flustered · sheepish · mortifying · cringeworthy
Uncomfortably self-conscious
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
- timidLacking courage or confidence
- retiringLeaving the workforce
- diffidentLacking self-assurance
introverted · reserved · withdrawn · nervous · hesitant · shrinking · mousy · wallflower
ungainly
Lacking ease of movement
- fumbleHandle with clumsy fingers
- stumbleLose footing momentarily
- butterfingersClumsy dropper of things
lumbering · gawky · uncoordinated · bungle · klutz · maladroit · ham-handed · clunky · graceless · blunder
irregular
Deviating from normal patterns
asymmetrical · crooked · ill-fitting · ungainly · disproportionate · cumbersome · bulky · unwieldy · contorted
inconvenient
Causing difficulty or bother
- trickyDifficult to handle
- problematicCausing difficulty or concern
- stickyApt to adhere
thorny · delicate · cumbersome · unmanageable · troublesome · vexing · complicated · unwieldy · bothersome · fiddly
gauche
Socially awkward, unrefined
- indelicateLacking refinement or tact
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
- maladroitLacking physical deftness
blundering · undiplomatic · ham-fisted · insensitive · indiscreet · unpolished · bumbling · inept · crude · tone-deaf
embarrassing
Causing awkward self-consciousness
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- stiltedUnnaturally formal in expression
strained · tense · uneasy · self-conscious · tongue-tied · flustered · sheepish · mortifying · cringeworthy · disconcerting
bashful
Uncomfortably self-conscious
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
- timidLacking courage or confidence
- retiringLeaving the workforce
diffident · introverted · reserved · withdrawn · nervous · hesitant · shrinking · mousy · wallflower · reticent
- clumsinessclumsiness, clumsy, fumble, stumble, slip
- clumsyclumsy, bumbling, bungling, fumbling, graceless
- dexteritydexterous, nimble, agile, adroit, deft
- slang traitsbossy, brainy, bubbly, chatty, cheeky
- clumsy peopleklutz, clumsy, bumbling, butterfingers, bungler
- nerd stereotypesbookworm, geeky, dorky, glasses, introvert
awkwardgraceful
Elegant in movement
agile · nimble · coordinated · lithe · fluid
awkwardconvenient
Easy to use
handy · manageable · easy · practical · user-friendly
- awkward silenceUncomfortable lull in conversation
- awkward momentSocially uncomfortable situation
- awkward pauseUncomfortable lull in conversation
- socially awkwardLacking interpersonal ease
- awkward ageEarly teenage years
- awkward phaseUncomfortable developmental stage
awkwardness, awkwardly, awkwardnesses, awkwardest, awkwarder