21.   Even a setting as harmless as a backyard barbecue had the potential to become a scene of constant questioning or awkward silence.

22.   For a few moments there was an awkward silence, as if asking something, anything, would send Lloyd flying into a rage.

23.   For all the pregnant pauses and awkward silences, the drama seems at once trivial and pretentious.

24.   For several seconds, an awkward silence hung over the packed room.

25.   For someone else, this could be an uncomfortable situation, but the colorful Williams is not one for awkward silences.

26.   He was drowned out by loud yells from the audience, leaving the candidates standing in awkward silence.

27.   I asked after the youthful dew of the gathering had faded and the first awkward silence appeared.

28.   Now, the mothers experience the same pain, the awkward silence of friends and the glare of the media.

29.   On this day it was met with an awkward silence.

30.   Otherwise, they could be facing the mother of all awkward silences.