ˈɔːkwəd ˈɔkwɚd ˈɑkwɚd ˈstɪki hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment awkward (or embarrassing or difficult) moments in the discussion an awkward pause followed his remark a sticky question in the unenviable position of resorting to an act he had planned to save for the climax of the campaign causing to feel shame or chagrin or vexation the embarrassing moment when she found her petticoat down around her ankles it was mortifying to know he had heard every word