Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a manner that causes physical discomfort or unease: The word "uncomfortably" describes an action or state that results in a feeling of physical awkwardness, pain, or lack of ease.
   • In a way that causes mental or emotional uneasiness: It can also describe a situation or manner that leads to feelings of anxiety, embarrassment, or social awkwardness.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • The shoes were uncomfortably tight, so I took them off. (The tightness of the shoes caused physical discomfort.)
  • He sat uncomfortably on the hard wooden bench for hours. (His sitting position on the hard surface caused physical unease.)
  • The room fell uncomfortably silent after his remark. (The silence created a feeling of social or emotional unease.)
  • She was uncomfortably aware that everyone was staring at her. (Her awareness caused mental distress or embarrassment.)

Advanced Usage

• "uncomfortably close": at a distance that is awkwardly or alarmingly near.
  • The car came uncomfortably close to hitting the pedestrian. (The proximity was alarming and caused unease.)
• "uncomfortably hot/cold": describing a temperature extreme that causes physical distress.
  • The office was uncomfortably hot in the afternoon. (The high temperature made it physically unpleasant to be there.)
• "uncomfortably true": describing a fact or statement that is true in a way that causes disquiet or embarrassment.
  • His criticism was uncomfortably true, which made it hard to hear. (The truth of the statement caused mental discomfort.)

Variants and Related Words

• Uncomfortable (adjective): causing or feeling discomfort.
  • The chair was very uncomfortable.
• Comfortably (adverb): the opposite of "uncomfortably"; in a comfortable manner.
  • She slept comfortably in her own bed.

Synonyms

• Awkwardly: in a manner that is not smooth or graceful, causing discomfort.
• Uneasily: in a restless or anxious manner.
• Painfully: in a way that causes pain or distress (can be used figuratively for mental discomfort).

Related Phrases

• Squirm uncomfortably: to wriggle or twist the body from discomfort or nervousness.
  • The child squirmed uncomfortably in his seat during the long ceremony.
• Shift uncomfortably: to change position slightly due to physical or mental discomfort.
  • He shifted uncomfortably when asked about his mistake.

Adverb

1. in physical discomfort
   • she lay on the couch, her body uncomfortably twisted