tactless

[takt-lis]

adjective

1. lacking tact; showing no tact; undiplomatic; offendingly blunt.

   a tactless remark.

   Synonyms: boorish, brash, thoughtless, inconsiderate, rude

Other Word Forms

• tactlessly adverb
• tactlessness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tactless¹

First recorded in 1840–50; tact + -less

Example Sentences

He is tactless, following Cohn into a restroom to beg for his help or scarfing down cheeseballs and talking about midget wrestling at an Atlantic City casino buffet.

From Salon

“I know it’s tradition to be happy on Purim, but this year I think it’s tactless to do these carnivals,” said David Heyd.

From Seattle Times

The writers — both men — are pigheaded and tactless; their conversations with Penny are very funny.

From New York Times

“I’m compulsively impolitic and tactless. … I can’t write about people, which is why I write about inanimate objects,” he told Interview magazine in 2014.

From Washington Post

Until his death last April, Philip had settled into an unusual role, usually two steps behind his wife, providing her with stoic support, even if his occasional tactless comments hurt his image.

From New York Times