indelicate

adjective

in·​del·​i·​cate (ˌ)in-ˈde-li-kət 

: not delicate:

a(1)

: lacking in or offending against propriety : improper

indelicate subjects for conversation

(2)

: verging on the indecent : coarse

an indelicate anecdote

b

: marked by a lack of feeling for the sensibilities of others : tactless

an indelicate reference to the embarrassing incident

indelicately adverb

indelicateness noun

Synonyms of indelicate

• inappropriate
• improper
• indiscreet
• tactless
• injudicious
• imprudent
• careless
• inadvisable
• stupid
• unwise
• undiplomatic

Choose the Right Synonym for indelicate

indecorous, improper, unseemly, unbecoming, indelicate mean not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste.

indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method.

improper use of campaign contributions

unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

Examples of indelicate in a Sentence

Many consider it indelicate to talk about such things in mixed company.

the company considered his indelicate handling of such a personal matter to be unprofessional

Recent Examples on the Web

Lapid trades in indelicate satire for indelicate times — Y at one point literally and lavishly licks his wealthy benefactor’s gleaming knee-high boots — so these grisly verses at first seem a typically blunt caricature of Israeli nationalism at its most ruthless. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 May 2025

If any lawsuit ends up in court, a judge or jury will have to decide if an indelicate social media posting is worth more than $500,000 for the bereaved of Sade Robinson. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025

The phrasing was indelicate, but the idea that Canada lacks a cohesive identity is not a novel proposition. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025

In its first two seasons, viewers have gone on transcontinental journeys, including an indelicate hotel manager in Hawaii and a strange love square in Italy. —Shivani Gonzalez, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for indelicate

• delicate

Kids Definition

indelicate

adjective

in·​del·​i·​cate (ˈ)in-ˈdel-i-kət 

: having or showing bad manners or taste : immodest, coarse

indelicately adverb

indelicateness noun