CLUMSY Synonyms: 226 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

clumsy

adjective

ˈkləm-zē

Definition of clumsy

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

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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as in uncomfortable

lacking social grace and assurance felt clumsy in the unfamiliar uniform

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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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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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as in rude

hastily or roughly constructed a clumsy mock-up of the real thing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 second trickier and clumsier aside happens when Banderas’ chef tells Tony the tragedy of 17th century French cook François Vatel, who literally fell on his sword before serving a banquet to Louis XIV. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 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 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

Adjective

The Moon in Pisces moves through your 6th House of Work, Health, and Daily Routines while making an awkward angle to Venus in Libra and your 1st House of Self.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
Most of us have felt awkward during those first tentative steps back into dating.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of awkward

Adjective

Another important implication is that once a country is removed from the State Department list, getting it back on is bureaucratically cumbersome.

— Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Fall decor that is too cluttered, sharp, or cumbersome is often to blame.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of cumbersome

Adjective

Totally ignoring the humanity of both worker and customer is rude, and yet both parties are interested in getting on with whatever the transaction is.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
When Hank and Peggy meet a new family who has moved into the neighborhood, the Laotian Souphanousinphones, Hank immediately dislikes the father, Kahn, who is abrasive, competitive, and often rude.

— Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of rude

Adjective

Another standout scene features Floyd, who looks like a soft, somewhat ungainly middle-aged man, suddenly getting on a pommel horse and doing something extraordinary.

— Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of ungainly

Adjective

Kurt's key takeaways Hearing AI on a 911 call would make a lot of people uneasy.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Falwell correctly sensed vulnerability in the uneasy alliance between rationalism and Christianity that had prevailed since the eighteenth-century Enlightenment.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of uneasy

Adjective

Having one starting pitcher repeat an unwieldy path from a season ago is one thing.

— Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026
The shares are down more than 55% this year, and the global auto giant faces mounting pressure for radical action to counter Chinese competition, repair the damage from costly electric-vehicle missteps and prune an unwieldy stable of brands.

— Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of unwieldy

Browse Nearby Words

clumsiness

clumsy

clung

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“Clumsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clumsy. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of clumsy

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Synonyms of clumsy

adjective

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Example Sentences

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5 Words for Clumsy People

Cite this Entry

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