CLUMSY Synonyms: 226 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'clumsy' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of clumsy are awkward , gauche , inept , and maladroit . While all these words mean "not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct)," clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill. // a clumsy mechanic

Q: When could 'awkward' be used to replace 'clumsy'?

The words awkward and clumsy can be used in similar contexts, but awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact. // periods of awkward silence

Q: When might 'gauche' be a better fit than 'clumsy'?

Although the words gauche and clumsy have much in common, gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding. // felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

Q: In what contexts can 'inept' take the place of 'clumsy'?

While the synonyms inept and clumsy are close in meaning, inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy. // a hopelessly inept defense attorney

Q: When would 'maladroit' be a good substitute for 'clumsy'?

In some situations, the words maladroit and clumsy are roughly equivalent. However, maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations. // a maladroit politician

clumsy

adjective

ˈkləm-zē

Definition of clumsy next

as in awkward

lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands diamond cutting is no job for a clumsy person

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in uncoordinated

having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner a clumsy bow clumsy on the dance floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in uncomfortable

lacking social grace and assurance felt clumsy in the unfamiliar uniform

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in inexperienced

showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation) a clumsy joke

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cumbersome

difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design a clumsy contraption, but it got the job done

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rude

hastily or roughly constructed a clumsy mock-up of the real thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective clumsy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of clumsy are awkward, gauche, inept, and maladroit. While all these words mean "not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct)," clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

a clumsy mechanic

When could awkward be used to replace clumsy?

The words awkward and clumsy can be used in similar contexts, but awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact.

periods of awkward silence

When might gauche be a better fit than clumsy?

Although the words gauche and clumsy have much in common, gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

In what contexts can inept take the place of clumsy?

While the synonyms inept and clumsy are close in meaning, inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

a hopelessly inept defense attorney

When would maladroit be a good substitute for clumsy?

In some situations, the words maladroit and clumsy are roughly equivalent. However, maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations.

a maladroit politician

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of clumsy In 2019, Kim Darroch, then the British Ambassador to the U.S., was forced to resign after his diplomatic cables about the first Trump Administration—describing it as clumsy and inept—were leaked to the press. —

Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 Amazon’s best-selling soup bowls are made with triple-layered glass that even the clumsiest folks may find hard to break. —

Ashley Zlatopolsky, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2025 Okay too many clumsy Star Wars references there, but one thing the report also correctly notes is that this would be a rare development where Star Wars recruits a top A-list actor to star in a film. —

Paul Tassi, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 For Someone with an Arts & Crafts Corner Some people can be quite clumsy, and the experience of having to trash something valuable due to mishandling is truly heartbreaking. —

Tiana Randall, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for clumsy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clumsy

Adjective

Comfortable familiarity and an awkward desire to escape co-exist like the two quotes at the start, both true in incongruous harmony.

— David Opie, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2025
Where some toiletry bags end up having an awkward shape that won’t easily fit into your luggage, these are the opposite.

— Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 18 Feb. 2025