Awkwardly

Awkwardly describes a manner or action characterized by a lack of grace, skill, or ease; causing or marked by difficulty or embarrassment. It can refer to physical clumsiness, social discomfort, or a situation's overall ungainliness. The word emphasizes a sense of discomfort, unease, or a deviation from the expected or natural flow. It can also imply an unintentional nature to the action or situation, highlighting a sense of ineptitude or social faux pas. The word focuses on the perception of something being poorly executed, causing discomfort, or being out of place, whether in physical movement, verbal communication, or social interaction. The degree of 'awkwardness' can vary, from mild to intensely uncomfortable.

Awkwardly meaning with examples

• He stumbled awkwardly over the rug during his entrance, tripping slightly and nearly dropping the expensive vase he was carrying. The hushed silence that followed made the already uncomfortable situation even more embarrassing as the crowd averted their eyes, unsure how to react to his blunder.
• She shifted awkwardly in her seat as her date recounted an embarrassing story about himself, unable to find a comfortable place to sit. The nervous giggling and fidgeting created a wall between the date and her, as the awkwardness made her want to disappear from the table and hide away.
• The presentation started awkwardly, with technical difficulties disrupting the smooth start. The speaker, flustered by the glitches, fumbled through the introduction. The audience shared in the collective discomfort of the technical faults, creating a slow and uneven beginning.
• After the breakup, they ran into each other at a party and greeted each other awkwardly, exchanging stiff pleasantries and avoiding eye contact. The tension was palpable, a visible display of their past feelings, making the whole encounter uncomfortable and strained. The room got so quiet.