Uncomfortable: meaning, definitions and examples

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uncomfortable

[ˌʌnˈkʌmfərtəbl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

Causing or feeling slight pain or physical discomfort; producing a feeling of unease or awkwardness.

Synonyms

awkward, awkward, painful, uneasy, uneasy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
uncomfortable	When something causes physical or emotional discomfort, such as sitting on a hard chair or being in a tense situation. The chair was so uncomfortable that I had to stand up The meeting made me feel uncomfortable because of the heated arguments
awkward	When a situation is socially embarrassing or clumsy, such as meeting someone you don't know at a party. It was really awkward when we both reached for the door handle at the same time There was an awkward silence after he told the joke
painful	When something causes physical pain or emotional hurt, such as an injury or a difficult breakup. Her broken arm was extremely painful It was a painful experience to say goodbye to him
uneasy	When someone feels nervous or worried about a situation or future event, often with no clear reason. I felt uneasy about the upcoming exam She was uneasy walking home alone at night

Examples of usage

It was uncomfortable sitting on the hard wooden chair for hours.
She felt uncomfortable discussing her personal problems with strangers.
The tight dress was uncomfortable to wear all day.
I feel uncomfortable in large crowds.
The silence between them was uncomfortable.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

social situation

Causing or feeling embarrassment or unease; not feeling relaxed or at ease in a particular situation.

Synonyms

awkward, embarrassing, embarrassing, tense, uneasy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
uncomfortable	Used when someone is experiencing physical or emotional discomfort. Sitting on that chair for hours made me uncomfortable He felt uncomfortable talking about his personal life
embarrassing	Used when a situation causes someone to feel ashamed or self-conscious. It was embarrassing when I tripped on the stage His loud outburst was embarrassing for everyone present
awkward	Used when a situation or interaction lacks grace or smoothness, often causing discomfort. There was an awkward silence after she made the joke Meeting my ex at the party was really awkward
uneasy	Used when someone feels worried or anxious because they sense something is wrong or unfamiliar. She felt uneasy walking alone at night I have an uneasy feeling about this decision
tense	Used when a situation or atmosphere is filled with stress or anxiety. The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense after the argument You could feel the tense vibe in the courtroom

Examples of usage

The atmosphere at the party was uncomfortable for introverts.
He found it uncomfortable to be the center of attention.
She avoided the uncomfortable topic during the meeting.
His inappropriate joke made everyone uncomfortable.
I felt uncomfortable in the formal setting.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the prefix 'un-', which means 'not', combined with 'comfortable', indicating the opposite of comfort.
It first appeared in the English language around the late 15th century, reflecting physical discomfort initially.
The word has evolved to include emotional and social discomfort over time, reflecting changes in society.

Psychology

Feeling uncomfortable can trigger a stress response, activating the body's fight-or-flight system.
Discomfort often prompts personal growth, as it can encourage people to face challenges and develop resilience.
Research shows that social discomfort can improve collaboration by making group members more considerate of each other's feelings.

Cultural Context

Different cultures have unique thresholds for discomfort, affecting how emotions are expressed and managed in public settings.
In many cultures, discussing uncomfortable topics openly is seen as taboo, which can prevent meaningful conversations.
Comedy is often used as a tool to address uncomfortable subjects, using humor to relieve tension and facilitate dialogue.

Social Dynamics

Saying 'no' can often make people feel uncomfortable, even resulting in fear of disappointing others.
Being in a new or unexpected social situation tends to create discomfort, as it challenges familiar routines and relationships.
People often navigate uncomfortable conversations by using active listening techniques to ensure understanding and empathy.

Education

Educators aim to create a safe space to reduce discomfort in learning environments, which helps foster open discussions.
Students often experience discomfort when challenged with new ideas or concepts, which is a normal part of the learning process.
Understanding the source of discomfort can be a valuable lesson in emotional intelligence, helping individuals manage their feelings better.

Translations

Translations of the word "uncomfortable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desconfortável

🇮🇳 असहज

🇩🇪 unbequem

🇮🇩 tidak nyaman

🇺🇦 незручний

🇵🇱 niewygodny

🇯🇵 不快な (fukai na)

🇫🇷 inconfortable

🇪🇸 incómodo

🇹🇷 rahatsız

🇰🇷 불편한 (bulpyeonhan)

🇸🇦 غير مريح (ghayr murih)

🇨🇿 nepohodlný

🇸🇰 nepohodlný

🇨🇳 不舒服 (bù shūfu)

🇸🇮 neprijeten

🇮🇸 óþægilegur

🇰🇿 ыңғайсыз

🇬🇪 უხერხული

🇦🇿 narahat

🇲🇽 incómodo

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,948 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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