uncomfortable

Making your body feel pain or preventing you from relaxing.

• These shoes are uncomfortable.
• We slept on an uncomfortable mattress.
• Why are the seats so uncomfortable?

Opposites: comfortable

Common phrases: uncomfortable chair, uncomfortable shoes, uncomfortable bed, uncomfortable seat

Feeling pain, worry, or difficulty relaxing because of your body or surroundings.

• I feel uncomfortable in this heat.
• Her back hurt, and she was uncomfortable all night.
• Are you uncomfortable sitting there?

How to use it: uncomfortable in something (I felt uncomfortable in those tight trousers.)

Similar words: ill at ease

Opposites: comfortable

Common phrases: feel uncomfortable, physically uncomfortable, uncomfortable in something

Feeling worried, embarrassed, or unable to relax in a situation.

• The question made me uncomfortable.
• She felt uncomfortable discussing her salary.
• There was an uncomfortable silence after his joke.

How to use it: uncomfortable about something (She felt uncomfortable about asking for money.); uncomfortable with something (He is uncomfortable with public attention.)

Similar words: uneasy, awkward

Opposites: relaxed

Common phrases: uncomfortable silence, feel uncomfortable, uncomfortable about something