Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for maladroit

maladroit

[ mal-uh-droit ]

adjective

  1. lacking in adroitness; unskillful; awkward; bungling; tactless:

    to handle a diplomatic crisis in a very maladroit way.

    Synonyms: gauche, inept, clumsy



maladroit

/ ˌmæləˈdrɔɪt /

adjective

  1. showing or characterized by clumsiness; not dexterous
  2. tactless and insensitive in behaviour or speech
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˌmalaˈdroitness, noun
  • ˌmalaˈdroitly, adverb
Discover More

Other Words From

  • mala·droitly adverb
  • mala·droitness noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of maladroit1

First recorded in 1665–75; from French, Middle French: literally “clumsy”; mal-, adroit
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of maladroit1

C17: from French, from mal badly + adroit
Discover More

Example Sentences

Mitt Romney has received much (deserved) criticism for his maladroit comments on the 9/11 embassy attacks.

Yes, both are rich, socially maladroit, and from Massachusetts.

At Trinity College at the University of Toronto, he was even more socially maladroit.

Truly people here are extraordinarily maladroit in spite of the French wit!

Pacing slowly in her dark garden, Enid Crofton's pulse quickened at the recollection of those maladroit, hungry kisses.

Might makes right, often enough in a maladroit fashion, but sometimes it comes as a real blessing.

They swarmed loud, uncouth about the temple, their heads thickplotting under maladroit silk hats.

That evening Camille drew Rose aside, and asked for an explanation of her "maladroit."

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


maladministrationmalady