86 entries under awkward topic. ×

24
upsetting(adjective, hard, moving, severe, happy)
22
severe(adjective, tough, difficult, harsh, tender)
20
disturbing(adjective, hard, moving, severe, happy)
15
terrible(adjective, severe, difficult, sad, tender)
15
troublesome(adjective, severe, rough, happy, difficult)
11
difficult(adjective, severe, rough, harsh, tender)
11
troubling(verb, adjective, hard, severe, offensive)
10
burdensome(adjective, difficult, offensive, shocking)
10
hard(adjective, rough, difficult, harsh, tender)
8
bothersome(adjective, severe, difficult, offensive, unpleasant)
8
heavy(adjective, tough, severe, rough, difficult)
7
irksome(adjective, difficult, offensive, shocking)
6
arduous(adjective, difficult, harsh, tender, cruel)
6
embarrassing(adjective, hard, severe, offensive)
5
disconcerting(adjective, hard, severe, offensive)
5
onerous(adjective, hard, severe, rough, difficult)
5
serious(adjective, tough, severe, rough, difficult)
4
disagreeable(adjective, hard, tough, severe, rough)
4
exasperating(adjective, uneasy, upsetting, uncomfortable)
3
mortifying(adjective, uneasy, uncomfortable)
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APASmart Define. (2015). distressing thesaurus. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "distressing thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 24, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, distressing thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 24 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "distressing thesaurus" 3 August 2015. Web. 24 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms>