Synonyms of clumsy

clumsy

adjective

ˈkləm-zē 

1

as in awkward

lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands

diamond cutting is no job for a clumsy person

Synonyms & Similar Words

• awkward
• unhandy
• heavy-handed
• maladroit
• ham-fisted
• handless
• butterfingered
• graceless
• ham-handed
• all thumbs
• cack-handed
• uncoordinated
• left-handed
• unskilled
• gauche
• inept
• bungling
• unskillful
• inexpert
• bunglesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dextrous
• handy
• dexterous
• skilled
• deft
• skillful
• expert
• masterly
• sure-handed
• coordinated

2

as in uncoordinated

having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner

a clumsy bow

clumsy on the dance floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• awkward
• uncoordinated
• ungainly
• unsteady
• klutzy
• gawky
• shuffling
• graceless
• wobbly
• lumbering
• gawkish
• lubberly
• wabbly
• shambling
• lumpish
• galumphing
• larruping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• graceful
• coordinated
• nimble
• lithe
• light
• lissom
• lissome
• light-foot
• sure-footed
• light-footed

3

as in uncomfortable

lacking social grace and assurance

felt clumsy in the unfamiliar uniform

Synonyms & Similar Words

• uncomfortable
• awkward
• uneasy
• embarrassed
• ungraceful
• inelegant
• wooden
• timid
• gauche
• stilted
• rustic
• stiff
• graceless
• upset
• nervous
• rough-hewn
• ungainly
• flustered
• gawky
• disturbed
• rustical
• meek
• angular
• clownish
• agitated
• unsettled
• lubberly
• boorish
• uncouth
• discomfited
• bothered
• distressed
• abashed
• self-conscious
• disconcerted
• jumpy
• modest
• diffident
• perturbed
• unassuming
• unassertive
• insecure
• mortified
• jittery
• nonplussed
• nonplused
• chagrined
• discomforted
• dismayed
• rattled
• disquieted
• unpretentious
• discomposed
• unhinged
• discountenanced
• fazed
• self-doubting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• graceful
• suave
• urbane
• confident
• composed
• collected
• cool
• calm
• secure
• undisturbed
• serene
• placid
• unperturbed
• poised
• tranquil
• assured
• self-assured
• self-confident
• self-possessed

4

as in inexperienced

showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)

a clumsy joke

Synonyms & Similar Words

• awkward
• inexperienced
• botched
• inept
• careless
• sloppy
• incompetent
• inexpert
• inefficient
• bungling
• maladroit
• fumbled
• amateurish
• ineffectual
• unprofessional
• unskilled
• unpolished
• amateur
• crude
• tactless
• unskillful
• green
• ineffective
• misguided
• tacky
• misdirected
• undiplomatic
• ill-advised

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adroit
• deft
• facile
• capable
• professional
• able
• competent
• skilled
• clever
• skillful
• adept
• dexterous
• dextrous
• talented
• proficient
• expert
• polished
• easy
• masterful
• accomplished
• masterly
• diplomatic
• consummate
• smooth
• gracious
• effortless
• tactful
• crackerjack

5

as in cumbersome

difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design

a clumsy contraption, but it got the job done

Synonyms & Similar Words

• awkward
• cumbersome
• unwieldy
• clunky
• ungainly
• ponderous
• unhandy
• cumbrous
• heavy
• cranky
• impractical
• massive
• bunglesome
• uncontrollable
• unmanageable
• bulky
• dinosauric
• elephantine
• impracticable
• hulking
• dinosaurian

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• practical
• useful
• functional
• handy
• practicable
• serviceable

6

as in rude

hastily or roughly constructed

a clumsy mock-up of the real thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rude
• crude
• rough
• flawed
• imperfect
• artless
• defective
• primitive
• rudimentary
• unfinished
• rough-and-ready
• unrefined
• rough-and-tumble
• amateur
• jerry-built
• imprecise
• jerry-rigged
• rough-hewn
• jury-rigged
• faulty
• amateurish
• inartistic
• inexact
• unpolished
• unskilled
• unprofessional
• inexpert
• unskillful
• undressed
• unworked
• unshaped
• unshapen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• perfect
• refined
• meticulous
• polished
• flawless
• skillful
• adept
• finished
• well-done
• neat
• faultless
• expert
• sophisticated
• artistic
• adroit
• masterful
• masterly
• practised
• artful
• dexterous
• precise
• perfected
• practiced
• dextrous
• workmanlike
• exact

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

Recent Examples of clumsy

Chris and Emilia’s conversation is suddenly interrupted by a premature explosion, which was caused by a clumsy member of a militia group called the Sons of Liberty. —Scott Meslow, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025

Tiny, slow and clumsy — these hatchlings are an easy snack for predators. —Diaa Hadid, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025

The eagles' first flights were often clumsy, almost embarrassing affairs, according to Parker. —Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025

In fact, if there is a strong case against Cook, then Trump’s clumsy interference could subvert his own Justice Department, which may have been ready to indict Cook based on the FHFA referral. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025