clumsy

adjective

ˈkləm-zē How to pronounce clumsy (audio)
Definition of clumsynext
1
as in awkward
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands diamond cutting is no job for a clumsy person

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2
as in uncoordinated
having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner a clumsy bow clumsy on the dance floor

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3
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance felt clumsy in the unfamiliar uniform

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4
as in inexperienced
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation) a clumsy joke

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5
as in cumbersome
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design a clumsy contraption, but it got the job done

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6
as in rude
hastily or roughly constructed a clumsy mock-up of the real thing

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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 The other, in quite clumsy English, requested a very careful renovation of Ingmar Bergman’s house on the island of Fårö, in Sweden. — Literary Hub, 22 July 2026 He was saved by the presence nearby of Lisandro Martinez, but the challenge was so unorthodox, clumsy and deliberate that many referees would have cautioned the defender. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 July 2026 And the big rocket launch feels way too clumsy, the stakes feeling much lower than play builds towards. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 17 July 2026 Unless your relationship with your parents is particularly strained or toxic, which might be the case, there’s a good chance each party is approaching parenting with love—even when their attempts might be clumsy or awkward. — Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for clumsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clumsy
  1. awkward
  2. uncoordinated
  3. uncomfortable
  4. cumbersome
  5. rude
  6. ungainly
  7. uneasy
  8. unwieldy
Adjective
  • In addition, an awkward meeting between Ed and a smooth literary agent (Jake Lacy), along with a mini-subplot involving phone calls from Ed’s frustrated sister about their dying brother, come off slightly wedged in.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The awkward part of all this, though, is that Anthropic isn’t making money yet.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of awkward
Adjective
  • This has created an uncoordinated and even contradictory landscape for policies focused on drinking.
    — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 14 July 2026
  • There’s something kind of charming about Carter’s uncoordinated love-bombing.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026
Definition of uncoordinated
Adjective
  • It’s also designed to sit right at your natural waist, so no uncomfortable fidgeting here.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Cody pointed out the woman who had taken up an uncomfortable perch on a barstool.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncomfortable
Adjective
  • Now that everything is digital, photographs might seem antiquated or cumbersome to store.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The resulting value in providing a measured approach to patching prioritization without the need to reboot hardware or adhere to cumbersome and lengthy software maintenance windows is compelling.
    — Will Townsend, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cumbersome
Adjective
  • Then off to the highway with you, up a mountain hill, in full control and at one with this rude, loud, hot machine.
    — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Maybe your child or grandchild posted a rude comment in a group chat.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of rude
Adjective
  • Using original photographs, and input from the Pourtout archives, the restoration team reversed the ungainly Saoutchik body modifications, and the curved windshield and twin rear-window design returned.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 July 2026
  • Instead of an ungainly pile of pillows, modern buyers prefer to let the materials sing.
    — Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026
Definition of ungainly
Adjective
  • Some users appeared to grow uneasy, even as Polymarket let people bet on whether the fires would spread to nearby counties or when they might be contained.
    — Cole Reynolds, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The doll arrives at an uneasy moment for the brand it’s built on.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • Amazon’s Prime Video continues to be the most unwieldy streaming service with literally hundreds of titles getting added and dropped every few days.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • So a pinch of surprising depth proves to be the most unwieldy move when Roth unveils a resonantly nasty surprise for his story’s endgame.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of unwieldy

Browse Nearby Words

clumsiness
clumsy
clung
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Cite this Entry

“Clumsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clumsy. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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