uncomfortable

[ uhn-kuhmf-tuh-buhl, -kuhm-fer-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. causing discomfort or distress; painful; irritating.
2. in a state of discomfort; uneasy; conscious of stress or strain.

   Synonyms: strained, nervous, awkward

uncomfortable

/ ʌnˈkʌmftəbəl /

adjective

1. not comfortable
2. feeling or causing discomfort or unease; disquieting

Derived Forms

• unˈcomfortableness, noun
• unˈcomfortably, adverb

Other Words From

• un·comfort·a·ble·ness noun
• un·comfort·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncomfortable¹

First recorded in 1585–95; un- ¹ + comfortable

Example Sentences

I try not to bring up anything positive about my life with her, because then she says things that make me uncomfortable.

From Washington Post

The second group would be paid more if they made their partner uncomfortable.

From Freakonomics

Those things forced the GOP into very uncomfortable conversations about what their party should be.

From Washington Post

The fact that I had basically gone my entire life without ever even touching a dead body meant that I had a very uncomfortable relationship being in the presence of a dead body.

From Freakonomics

Any type of wetness will increase the rate at which heat leaves your body and will be uncomfortable.

From Popular-Science

Even in the medieval era this disparity made Christians uncomfortable.

From The Daily Beast

ThinkProgress calls the premise “uncomfortable and vaguely sad.”

From The Daily Beast

That is a distinction with a sociological difference—for many, an uncomfortable one to consider.

From The Daily Beast

Because holy hell was that bland, unfunny, uncomfortable, and just plain confusing.

From The Daily Beast

He said he thought his investigation was “too uncomfortable.”

From The Daily Beast

Bernard was uncomfortable enough not to care to be mocked; but he felt even more sorry that Gordon should be.

From Project Gutenberg

Shortly after she came to her lesson limping, and remarked that she felt very uncomfortable.

From Project Gutenberg

It took me back to Burma and a certain very uncomfortable night that I once passed in the jungle.

From Project Gutenberg

It stands up so high at the back of her neck I should think it would feel very uncomfortable.

From Project Gutenberg

But there was something about the chilly expression in her eyes that made Delancy feel decidedly uncomfortable.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• angry
• annoyed
• awkward
• confused
• embarrassed
• fatigued
• harsh
• miserable
• nervous
• restless
• self-conscious
• tired
• uneasy
• weary