maladroit

maladroit

adjective

Definition of MALADROIT

1

lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands <some maladroit steering on her part caused the bicycle to go crashing into the bushes>

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

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

Near Antonyms expert, masterly, skilled, skillful; coordinated

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

2

showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation) <the socially maladroit young man often has a difficult time meeting new people>

Synonyms botched, bungling, clumsy, fumbled, inept, inexpert, maladroit

Related Words amateur, amateurish, crude, green, incompetent, ineffectual, inefficient, inexperienced, unpolished, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful; careless, sloppy, tacky, tactless, undiplomatic; ill-advised, ineffective, ineffectual, misdirected, misguided

Near Antonyms able, accomplished, adept, capable, clever, competent, consummate, crackerjack, expert, masterful, masterly, polished, professional, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented; diplomatic, easy, effortless, gracious, smooth, tactful

Antonyms adroit, deft, dexterous (also dextrous), facile