Uncomfortably

In a way that causes or involves discomfort, unease, or awkwardness; to a degree that makes one feel physically or emotionally uneasy. This adverb can describe physical sensations like being too hot or itchy, or more abstract feelings like social awkwardness, embarrassment, or a sense of dread. It implies a departure from a state of ease, tranquility, or contentment. The discomfort experienced can range from mild annoyance to significant distress. The degree of discomfort is often subjective, varying from person to person and situation to situation. It can also be used to describe something that is not necessarily unpleasant, but simply not ideally suited or easy.

Uncomfortably meaning with examples

• She sat uncomfortably on the hard wooden bench, her back aching and her legs cramped from the long train journey. The rough fabric of the seat scratched her skin, and the crowded carriage amplified the discomfort. She longed to get up and stretch, but she didn't want to disturb the other passengers. Her journey was not going well.
• The comedian's jokes fell uncomfortably flat during the corporate event; the audience, unaccustomed to his dark humor, sat in stony silence. The air thickened with a palpable sense of unease as he continued, desperate to elicit a single laugh. He could feel the beads of sweat forming as the seconds ticked by and his performance ended. The atmosphere was tense.
• He stared uncomfortably at the harsh glare of the fluorescent lights in the sterile waiting room, feeling a growing sense of anxiety about his upcoming appointment. The silence was deafening, punctuated only by the occasional cough and shuffling feet of the other patients. The antiseptic smell and the clinical environment heightened his nervousness. It felt like an interrogation.
• The new shoes fit uncomfortably at first, rubbing against his heels and causing blisters, but he hoped they would break in after a few wears. They were the perfect style and he needed them for a professional occasion so he was trying to get used to them, despite the physical ache. However, he knew they would fit eventually.
• They stood uncomfortably close in the crowded elevator, the strangers' personal space invaded and the lack of air making the moment excruciating. She was leaning on the side. The air felt thick and everyone seemed to be breathing heavily. They were all waiting for the doors to open. It was claustrophobic.
• The politician fielded questions from the reporters uncomfortably; his carefully crafted facade began to crack under pressure. He struggled to maintain eye contact, his answers vague and evasive. The audience was growing restless and started to yell more pointed questions. He was not getting away with it.
• The heavy silence in the room hung uncomfortably, as the family avoided the topic of their pending divorce. Each member carefully held their tongue and kept their head up. The situation was causing so much damage to the marriage. They were trying to get through dinner without bursting into tears.
• The child fidgeted uncomfortably during the long church sermon, unable to sit still or understand the complex concepts being discussed. The unfamiliar setting made him anxious and the repetitive speech lost his attention. He kept asking his mother when they could leave. The moment passed in slow motion.