as in inappropriate
showing poor judgment especially in personal relationships or social situations
the company considered his indelicate handling of such a personal matter to be unprofessional
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Recent Examples of indelicate
Clutch effort is Herculean, and shifting—like the recoil of a big-bore automatic handgun—is indelicate but infinitely satisfying.
—
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2024
These nude illusions always look underwhelming, the shapes are indelicate, and the roots don’t blend with the geometric element.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
Fisher, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes to be $3 billion, is the quintessential member of the Lucky Sperm Club, not to be indelicate.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
All this may well be intended as tongue-in-cheek by the script, but Lynch’s indelicate handling arrives at something more subjugated by heavy-breathing clichés than ironically playful towards them.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for indelicate
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2024
These nude illusions always look underwhelming, the shapes are indelicate, and the roots don’t blend with the geometric element.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
Fisher, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes to be $3 billion, is the quintessential member of the Lucky Sperm Club, not to be indelicate.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
All this may well be intended as tongue-in-cheek by the script, but Lynch’s indelicate handling arrives at something more subjugated by heavy-breathing clichés than ironically playful towards them.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for indelicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indelicate
Adjective
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The app has a private messaging feature that can lead to inappropriate conversations with predators.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
21 Mar. 2025
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Cornelius said that the superintendent later informed her of other prior incidents including her son — who has autism and is nonverbal — getting a shower without her permission, getting called vulgar names by staff and teachers, and receiving other inappropriate comments.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Medicare, the health insurance program for senior citizens, racked up $54.3 billion in improper payments last year.—
Kevin R. Kosar,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Mar. 2025
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This can happen due to simple things like the passage of time, changes in circumstance or improper categorization.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA TODAY,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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If this text had been received by someone hostile to American interests—or someone merely indiscreet, and with access to social media—the Houthis would have had time to prepare for what was meant to be a surprise attack on their strongholds.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2025
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Hegseth, the defense secretary nominee, has made some indiscreet utterances, though there is no compelling evidence of alcoholism as critics have alleged.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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On the dark side, Mercury in Sagittarius can be overly blunt and tactless in communication.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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Rian Johnson’s intricate script thrived on detailed dissections of its rich and awful suspects, including plenty of pointed jabs at Hudson’s oblivious model and tactless brand ambassador — two titles Hudson herself has held.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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So maybe use the feelings aroused by your sister-in-law’s thoughtless, certainly injudicious, possibly naughty remark as an opportunity to rise above.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2024
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What The Meng Episode Means (1): Is Huawei A Tool of The CCP? Meng’s release, and injudicious remarks, do not bode well for Huawei.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes,
27 Sep. 2021
Adjective
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The team held a multiple-point lead with seconds to go, but careless defense and turnovers cost them.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
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Top-four defencemen Darnell Nurse and Jake Walman were also careless with the puck at times.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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She was charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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On March 19, 2024, Huger was charged with a DUI and DWI on the counts of: negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Gabriela Silva,
TVLine,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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That would have been bad enough — apart from cc-ing our literal enemies, copying a member of the press on official government communication is highly inadvisable, and could go all kinds of sideways.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2025
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This inadvisable structure will cost city taxpayers an additional $2 billion over the next 30 years than otherwise would have been the case.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indelicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indelicate. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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