uncomfortable

adjective

un·​com·​fort·​able
ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl,
-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-bəl,
-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-bəl How to pronounce uncomfortable (audio)
-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-bəl,
-ˈkəm-fər-bəl,
-ˈkəm-fə-bəl
1
: causing discomfort or annoyance
an uncomfortable chair
an uncomfortable performance
2
: feeling discomfort : uneasy
was uncomfortable with them
uncomfortably
ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-blē
-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-blē
-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-blē How to pronounce uncomfortable (audio)
-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-blē
-ˈkəm-fər-blē
-ˈkəm-fə-blē
adverb

Examples of uncomfortable in a Sentence

You look uncomfortable in that chair. Would you like to sit here instead? The silence went on so long that it became very uncomfortable. We were in the uncomfortable position of asking for money. I was uncomfortable about talking to them. She's uncomfortable being in the spotlight.
Recent Examples on the Web The new limit on complaints has Aldama feeling uncomfortable because of its apparent structuring around Wilfong, the councilmember said. The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2024 If that was disruptive or uncomfortable for anybody, that wasn’t my problem. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 25 Mar. 2024 Friday night’s attack is an awful, and uncomfortable, swerve from that narrative. Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2024 That's where things get very bloody...and very uncomfortable for Sweeney's poor Grandy. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2024 For many, the Book of Esther’s last full chapter, which details how Jews killed the Persians, has become particularly uncomfortable in light of the war. Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 Sweeney ably carries the film on that level, though there are beats courtesy of director Michael Mohan and screenwriter Andrew Lobel as likely to elicit uncomfortable chuckles from the audience as fear. Brian Lowry, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 But trying to self-diagnose sometimes leads people to start taking OTC yeast infection treatments while their BV bacteria is raging, which doesn’t help—and sometimes leads to a more uncomfortable infection, for a longer time, or one that just keeps coming back. Mara Santilli, SELF, 21 Mar. 2024 The bra boasts smooth and thick coverage without any uncomfortable padding. Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uncomfortable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncomfortable was in 1573

Dictionary Entries Near uncomfortable

Cite this Entry

“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncomfortable. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

uncomfortable

adjective
un·​com·​fort·​able ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə(r)-bəl How to pronounce uncomfortable (audio)
-ˈkəm(p)-fə(r)t-ə-bəl,
ˈən-
1
: causing discomfort
an uncomfortable chair
2
: feeling discomfort : uneasy
uncomfortably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on uncomfortable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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