ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl
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
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Recent Examples of uncomfortable
Even so, one study found many primary care doctors had no knowledge of this legislation, with some reporting feeling uncomfortable answering patient questions on breast density.
—
Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
Freshly tossed into a private Catholic high school by his devout mother, John falls head over heels for a devious classmate ready to push his faith (and morals) to the brink with a series of increasingly uncomfortable actions, all in the name of love.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
Freshly tossed into a private Catholic high school by his devout mother, John falls head over heels for a devious classmate ready to
push his faith (and morals) to the brink with a series of increasingly uncomfortable actions, all in
the name of love.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025
As your hormone levels — specifically estrogen and progesterone — start to change, your body temperature can fluctuate, causing uncomfortable hot flashes and night sweats.
—Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
Freshly tossed into a private Catholic high school by his devout mother, John falls head over heels for a devious classmate ready to push his faith (and morals) to the brink with a series of increasingly uncomfortable actions, all in the name of love.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
Freshly tossed into a private Catholic high school by his devout mother, John falls head over heels for a devious classmate ready to
push his faith (and morals) to the brink with a series of increasingly uncomfortable actions, all in
the name of love.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025
As your hormone levels — specifically estrogen and progesterone — start to change, your body temperature can fluctuate, causing uncomfortable hot flashes and night sweats.
—Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncomfortable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomfortable
Adjective
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Vietnamese refugees who got a warm welcome from America puzzle at family separations, harsh rhetoric In Vietnam, Lam had owned three companies.—
Anh Do,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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President Donald Trump has launched harsh immigration actions in his first 100 days in office—detaining more people for immigration violations, allowing arrests outside schools and courthouses, and sending more than 200 Venezuelan men to be imprisoned in El Salvador.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Many Alaskans see the prospect as an embarrassing paradox – akin to Hawaii importing pineapples or New Mexico importing green chiles.—
Brett Watson,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
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Real people experience messy days, tell jokes, and share embarrassing stories.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Consumer sentiment and expectations Americans are feeling uneasy about the economy, and that is showing up in the data.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Markets have been turbulent ever since as trade policy uncertainty leaves investors uneasy.—
Chris DiLella,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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By the time Leif Davis was sent off on the half-hour for a dangerous foul from behind on Saka, who Arteta said was sore but did not suffer any serious damage, the winger had created a game-high three chances.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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However, Rice – out of Sunday’s lineup – was still stiff, sore and swollen.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Comments A little case of mistaken identity took an awkward turn for Luke Bryan recently.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Though, fair warning: a colleague told me using it with their manager made for a very awkward 48 hours.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Imagine being cuddled by long-legged, clumsy poodles.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2025
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That’s — actually kind of genius, especially if the Poet was a clumsy fella who needed that kind of precautionary measure.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Lotions in particular remove hair from the root, are less painful than wax strips, and are much cheaper than laser hair removal and electrolysis.—
Danielle Jackson,
Glamour,
29 Apr. 2025
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Like many things in life, trying to fix something later is much more painful.—
Kevin Campbell,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Doing so consumes water, requires the use of often eco-unfriendly cleansers, and adds an unpleasant task to janitors' daily duties.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2025
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But that’s another unpleasant truth that is best left unspoken.—
The Editors,
National Review,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomfortable. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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