gauche

adjective

ˈgōsh How to pronounce gauche (audio)
Definition of gauchenext
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance his loud talking at the opera marked him as gauche and uncultured

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gauche contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gauche are awkward, clumsy, inept, and maladroit. While all these words mean "not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct)," gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

When is it sensible to use awkward instead of gauche?

The words awkward and gauche 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

Where would clumsy be a reasonable alternative to gauche?

The synonyms clumsy and gauche are sometimes interchangeable, but clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

a clumsy mechanic

When would inept be a good substitute for gauche?

While in some cases nearly identical to gauche, inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

a hopelessly inept defense attorney

In what contexts can maladroit take the place of gauche?

The words maladroit and gauche are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 gauche In recent years, running seemed strictly prohibited, and playing anything resembling a real basketball game was considered gauche. — Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025 Lefties who study the French language soon learn that their handedness is gauche, clumsy in English and in French. — Megan Marshall, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2025 For a scene at the iconically gauche-glam nightclub and restaurant Tatiana — where the surf and turf will run you $99 — only five crew members went inside. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024 The reason is very simple—the Noto palazzo was very gauche and fit for the party later in the season, to be thrown by Hollander’s character. — Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for gauche
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauche
  1. uncomfortable
  2. awkward
  3. clumsy
  4. uneasy
  5. embarrassed
Adjective
  • Most companies find the first one uncomfortable, because nobody ever chose.
    — Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Spending more time boarding isn’t merely uncomfortable or inconvenient.
    — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncomfortable
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
  • Vocals are surprisingly good, despite the show being a bit awkward and clumsy at times.
    — Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Sneak away into the beyond—maybe this was a clumsy translation.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • Security will remain in place at the schools, officials said, and counselors will be available for students who feel uneasy about attending classes.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But that blend of raucous laughs (OK, well, some raucous laughs, some mere attempts at them) and real world concerns makes for an uneasy watch, ping-ponging between moods and tones in unpredictable ways.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • Those of us who received more than others were embarrassed and unsure what to do.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • They will be sickened and embarrassed to have a parent be so callous and vindictive.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrassed

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Gauche.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauche. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gauche

Nglish: Translation of gauche for Spanish Speakers

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