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Awkward vs Estrange - What's the difference?

awkward | estrange |

As an adverb awkward

is (obsolete) in a backwards direction.

As an adjective awkward

is lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments.

As a verb estrange is

to cause to feel less close or friendly; alienate to cease contact with (particularly of a family member or spouse, especially in form estranged).

awkward

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • (obsolete) In a backwards direction.
  • *, Bk.V, Ch.x:
    • Than groned the knyght for his grymme woundis, and gyrdis to Sir Gawayne and awkewarde hym strykes, and.

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments
    • John was awkward at performing the trick. He'll have to practice to improve.
  • Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing
    • That was an extremely awkward moment. Everyone was watching.
    An awkward silence had fallen.
  • Lacking social skills, or uncomfortable with social interaction
    • I'm very awkward at parties.
    Things get very awkward whenever 60-year old men use cheesy pick-up lines on me.
  • Perverse; adverse; difficult to handle
    • He's a right awkward chap.
    These cabinets are going to be very awkward when we move.

    Synonyms

    * (lacking dexterity) clumsy, ungraceful, unhandy, lubberly * (lacking social skill) maladroit

    Antonyms

    * (having dexterity) dexterous, graceful, skillful, gainly * (having social skills) cool, amiable

    Derived terms

    * awkwardly * awkwardness

    estrange

    English

    Verb

    (estrang)
  • To cause to feel less close or friendly; alienate. To cease contact with (particularly of a family member or spouse, especially in form estranged).
  • To remove from an accustomed place or set of associations.

    • Usage notes

    Largely synonymous with alienate, estrange'' is primarily used to mean “cut off relations”, particularly in a family setting, while ''alienate'' is rather used to refer to driving off (“he ''alienated'' her with his atrocious behavior”) or to offend a group (“the imprudent remarks ''alienated the urban demographic”). When speaking of parents being estranged from a child of theirs, disown is frequently used instead, and has a stronger connotation.

    Synonyms

    * (cause to feel less close) alienate, antagonize, disaffect, isolate * (remove from an accustomed context) wean

    Derived terms

    * estrangement * estranger

    Related terms

    * (l) * (l)

    Coordinate terms

    * (l)

    Anagrams

    * ----