maladroit

mal·adroit

adj \ˌma-lə-ˈdrȯit\

Definition of MALADROIT

: lacking adroitness : inept

— mal·adroit·ly adverb

— mal·adroit·ness noun

Examples of MALADROIT

1. The governor has been criticized for his maladroit handling of the budget crisis.
2. <some maladroit steering on her part caused the bicycle to go crashing into the bushes>

Origin of MALADROIT

French, from Middle French, from mal- + adroit

First Known Use: 1685

Related to MALADROIT

Synonyms: awkward, butterfingered, cack-handed [British], graceless, ham-fisted, ham-handed, handless, heavy-handed, left-handed, clumsy, unhandy

Antonyms: deft, dexterous (also dextrous), handy, sure-handed

Related Words: uncoordinated; bunglesome, bungling, gauche, inept, inexpert, unskilled, unskillful

Near Antonyms: expert, masterly, skilled, skillful; coordinated

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at awkward

Rhymes with MALADROIT

Massasoit