1
a
: lacking dexterity or skill (as in the use of hands)
I'm awkward with a needle and thread.
b
: showing the result of a lack of expertness
an awkward attempt
awkward pictures
2
3
a
: lacking social grace and assurance
an awkward newcomer
b
: causing embarrassment
an awkward moment
4
: not easy to handle or deal with : requiring great skill, ingenuity, or care
an awkward load
an awkward diplomatic situation
5
obsolete
: perverse
6
archaic
: unfavorable, adverse
awkwardly
adverb
awkwardness
noun
Examples of awkward in a Sentence
I was electrified by what I learned in college. Still socially awkward, I had the bad habit of stopping strangers in the street to pour my heart out about the latest marvel I had learned.
—
Jaron Lanier, Curious Minds, (2004) 2005
Greene must have known that such men would not spill the beans about his irregular life or ask awkward questions, though Burgess famously teased him for being … a poseur, and was banished.
—Paul Theroux, New York Times Book Review, 17 Oct. 2004
On the ground, vultures are hunched and awkward bundles of feathers, but in the air, where I watch them during much of the day, they are magnificent graceful soarers.
—Words From the Land, Stephen Trimble, editor, 1988
She is awkward at dancing.
He had large feet and his walk was awkward and ungainly.
The story contained some awkward writing.
She is an awkward writer.
The machine is very awkward to operate.
I often find myself in awkward situations.
He was put in the awkward position of having to write the memo.
There was an awkward pause in the conversation.
He feels awkward with strangers.
Jaron Lanier, Curious Minds, (2004) 2005
Greene must have known that such men would not spill the beans about his irregular life or ask awkward questions, though Burgess famously teased him for being … a poseur, and was banished.
—Paul Theroux, New York Times Book Review, 17 Oct. 2004
On the ground, vultures are hunched and awkward bundles of feathers, but in the air, where I watch them during much of the day, they are magnificent graceful soarers.
—Words From the Land, Stephen Trimble, editor, 1988
She is awkward at dancing.
He had large feet and his walk was awkward and ungainly.
The story contained some awkward writing.
She is an awkward writer.
The machine is very awkward to operate.
I often find myself in awkward situations.
He was put in the awkward position of having to write the memo.
There was an awkward pause in the conversation.
He feels awkward with strangers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Historically an awkward public speaker, Johnson nevertheless saw the invitation as an opportunity to promote his plan for a voting rights bill.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Things only get less interesting as that love triangles widens into an awkward kind of square, the chiaroscuro splendor of Soderbergh’s cinematography laboring to compensate for a murder-mystery that’s as scattered and impenetrable as Berlin itself.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
After making her Fire Country debut last season in an awkward family reunion with her step-sister Sharon Leone (Diane Farr), Mickey returns in an upcoming episode of the CBS drama to tee up her upcoming spinoff, Sheriff Country.
—Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Earlier this week, Richards and Umansky had an emotional, yet awkward chat on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills about the July 2024 photos of him kissing another woman.
—Jack Irvin, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
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.
Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Things only get less interesting as that love triangles widens into an awkward kind of square, the chiaroscuro splendor of Soderbergh’s cinematography laboring to compensate for a murder-mystery that’s as scattered and impenetrable as Berlin itself.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
After making her Fire Country debut last season in an awkward family reunion with her step-sister Sharon Leone (Diane Farr), Mickey returns in an upcoming episode of the CBS drama to tee up her upcoming spinoff, Sheriff Country.
—Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Earlier this week, Richards and Umansky had an emotional, yet awkward chat on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills about the July 2024 photos of him kissing another woman.
—Jack Irvin, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for awkward
Articles Related to awkward
Cite this Entry
“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awkward. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share