awkward

Making people feel uncomfortable or embarrassed, especially in a social situation.

• There was an awkward silence.
• I felt awkward asking her about the money.
• The dinner became awkward when his former partner arrived.

Similar words: uncomfortable, embarrassing

Common phrases: awkward silence, awkward moment, feel awkward

Difficult to use, deal with, or arrange because of its shape, design, or complexity.

• The controls are awkward to use.
• Its awkward shape made packing difficult.
• We found an answer to a particularly awkward problem.

How to use it: awkward to do something (The box is awkward to carry.)

Similar words: difficult, tricky, unwieldy

Opposites: easy

Common phrases: awkward shape, awkward to use, awkward problem

Moving without skill or control, often dropping things or finding movements difficult.

• He is an awkward dancer.
• The puppy looked awkward on its long legs.
• Her movements were awkward at first, but practice helped.

Similar words: clumsy, ungainly

Opposites: graceful, agile

Common phrases: awkward movements, awkward dancer, awkward on feet, awkward with tools

Deliberately making things difficult for other people by refusing to help or agree.

• Please stop being awkward.
• An awkward customer refused every solution we offered.
• He was deliberately awkward about signing the form.

Similar words: difficult, uncooperative, obstructive

Opposites: cooperative, helpful

Common phrases: be awkward, awkward customer, deliberately awkward