uncomfortable

adjective un·com·fort·able \ ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl , -ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-bəl , -ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-bəl , -ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-bəl , -ˈkəm-fər-bəl , -ˈkəm-fə-bəl \

Updated on: 1 Dec 2017

Definition of uncomfortable

1 : causing discomfort or annoyance

an uncomfortable chair

an uncomfortable performance

2 : feeling discomfort : uneasy

was uncomfortable with them

—

uncomfortably

play \ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-blē, -ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-blē, -ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-blē, -ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-blē, -ˈkəm-fər-blē, -ˈkəm-fə-blē\ adverb

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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 of uncomfortable from the Web

There’s another uncomfortable possibility: that the hypothesis was wrong to begin with.

— emily underwood, Science | AAAS, "Researchers grapple with the ethics of testing brain implants," 31 Oct. 2017
Having someone else running it, the timing was a little uncomfortable at first.

— gene chamberlain, Elgin Courier-News, "St. Charles East's power style a perfect option for fullback Justin Jett," 7 Sep. 2017
Recently, this stance put Prince in a really uncomfortable position.

— timothy b. lee, Ars Technica, "Tech companies declare war on hate speech—and conservatives are worried," 1 Sep. 2017
The lawsuit states Steenhoek was visibly uncomfortable with the questioning and complained.

— lilian min, Cosmopolitan, "Former Bachelorette Producer Sues Over Sexual Harassment," 31 Oct. 2017
But as the state and nation’s focus on the opioid crisis has sharpened in recent months, McKesson and other drug companies have come under legal scrutiny, and the deal has put Abbott in an uncomfortable position.

— jim malewitz and edgar walters, star-telegram, "Amid opioid crisis, Texas subsidized drug company it’s now investigating | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 31 Oct. 2017
Instead, McAdams said their meeting was filled with inappropriate comments from Toback that left her feeling uncomfortable.

— sandra gonzalez and lisa respers france, CNN, "Rachel McAdams, Selma Blair accuse James Toback of sexual harassment," 26 Oct. 2017
The goal of the new system is to make mammography less uncomfortable and reduce patients' anxiety, with the hope that more women will get mammograms.

— guy boulton, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Here’s what happens when women design a new system for mammography," 14 Oct. 2017
According to a police report summarizing the interview, the mother felt uncomfortable with the situation and told another officer about it.

— phillip m. bailey, The Courier-Journal, "Police sex abuse scandal: Scout's mom says LMPD supervisor urged her to keep quiet," 5 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'uncomfortable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.