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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clumsy
Take a deep breath because these claims form just one part of a clumsy web of viral content, in which Ronaldo, Messi and their children are part of the collateral.
—
Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
The movie’s clumsy turn into revenge-thriller territory is a bust, but the quasi-incestuous heat between the main characters keeps things moving.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
Game to game, characters like the speedy Pete Wheeler or clumsy Angela Delvecchio were true to their traits across each release.
—Jake Lang, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025
Relentless, hi-def gore is The Monkey’s greatest achievement, but all the blood-spatter in the world couldn’t redeem its clumsy plotting, frat-boy humor, and feigned memento mori.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clumsy
Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
The movie’s clumsy turn into revenge-thriller territory is a bust, but the quasi-incestuous heat between the main characters keeps things moving.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
Game to game, characters like the speedy Pete Wheeler or clumsy Angela Delvecchio were true to their traits across each release.
—Jake Lang, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025
Relentless, hi-def gore is The Monkey’s greatest achievement, but all the blood-spatter in the world couldn’t redeem its clumsy plotting, frat-boy humor, and feigned memento mori.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clumsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clumsy
Adjective
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However, whether the friendship will survive the awkward gift exchange remains to be seen.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
-
When Anne Hathaway co-hosted the ceremony with James Franco in 2012, it was widely panned as the Academy's awkward attempt to attract younger viewers.—
Lucia Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Senior-level decision-making had become uncoordinated and siloed.—
Jude Blanchette,
Foreign Affairs,
22 June 2021
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Beecher just cannot finish - nor Zacha, nor Wahlstrom ..... 63 played like the tired uncoordinated Marchy of the first 20 games, not the Aderall Marchy of his 6 game scoring streak.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The traditional process of quitting a job has always been a personal, often uncomfortable experience.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Video footage appeared to show Jin looking uncomfortable.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But now many have become reliant on the practice, especially in rural areas where getting to a medical facility can take longer and be more cumbersome for seniors.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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These methods work for a coin or two, but would be cumbersome for large deals.—
Dave Birnbaum,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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At the time, Pearce called out a rude fan while performing at WE Fest in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
Fox News,
7 Mar. 2025
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Anti-Tesla sentiment is at an all-time high, whether expressed through rude bumper stickers and peaceful protest or vandalism and arson, in part because Musk has continually stoked tension with his far-right politics.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Examples imported from 1975 through 1985 had rather ungainly impact bumpers, so early, chrome-bumper cars are aesthetically more desirable.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
21 Feb. 2025
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You're locked into an ungainly, spread armed, weak kneed Character: snowplow.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The resolution is seeking $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and $2 trillion in spending cuts over the next 10 years, measures that have met opposition from Democrats and made some Republicans uneasy.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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In my conversations with barbecue people, there was often uneasy tension about whether craft barbecue is something new or a return to an old way of doing things.—
Rachel Monroe,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Due to their unwieldy shape, crystal decanters are hard to situate securely in a dishwasher, and rocks glasses are tough but fragile.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
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Seedlings have visibly outgrown their containers and have become leggy, top-heavy, or unwieldy.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to clumsy
Cite this Entry
“Clumsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clumsy. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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