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
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2
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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3
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
felt clumsy in the unfamiliar uniform
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4
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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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
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6
as in rude
hastily or roughly constructed
a clumsy mock-up of the real thing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clumsy
Combined with Trump’s attacks on the rule of law, his clumsy, erratic attempts to weaponize Washington’s economic advantages pose the greatest threat so far to the dollar’s status as a reserve currency.
—
Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
The energy was rewarded with the game’s first goal as the Blue Jackets got clumsy in their own zone; Pontus Holmberg made a clever read to find the trailing Robertson, and the shooter beat Merzlikins.
—Nick Ashbourne, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Her Frog Splash on Kelly Kelly, intended as a tribute to her late husband Eddie Guerrero, was poorly executed and awkward, culminating in a clumsy pin that added to the match's overall embarrassment.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Darcy goes running after Elizabeth in the rain…and then proposes to her in quite a clumsy and unromantic way?
—Marley Marius, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clumsy
Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
The energy was rewarded with the game’s first goal as the Blue Jackets got clumsy in their own zone; Pontus Holmberg made a clever read to find the trailing Robertson, and the shooter beat Merzlikins.
—Nick Ashbourne, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Her Frog Splash on Kelly Kelly, intended as a tribute to her late husband Eddie Guerrero, was poorly executed and awkward, culminating in a clumsy pin that added to the match's overall embarrassment.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Darcy goes running after Elizabeth in the rain…and then proposes to her in quite a clumsy and unromantic way?
—Marley Marius, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clumsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clumsy
Adjective
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Bill Belichick’s daughter-in-law seems none too pleased with his girlfriend Jordon Hudson, shading the 24-year-old for her behavior during the Super Bowl winner’s awkward new CBS interview as former Patriots Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski defended Hudson.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2025
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The situation was made more awkward by the lack of support from anyone else at the table.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Social-media companies try to stem cartels’ activity on their sites, but their efforts have been sporadic and uncoordinated.—
Antón Barba-Kay,
The Atlantic,
26 Apr. 2025
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Yet compared with the first Trump administration, when the threat to American democracy was not as stark, the resistance today is limited and uncoordinated.—
Laura Gamboa,
Foreign Affairs,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The conversation had turned uncomfortable, leaving a deal that was at the finish line suddenly dead.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
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The Eurozone benefits from a better debt situation, though, as the Debt-to-GDP ratio is below 88% compared to an uncomfortable 124% for the U.S.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In the medium term, reliance on AI will diminish our need and motivation to engage in cumbersome independent thought processes, potentially leading to cognitive atrophy in the long run.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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For many retailers, cash remains a critical part of daily operations, but depositing that cash is a cumbersome, time-consuming process that has not changed in 30 years.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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There is something shocking, almost rude, about comparing the aims of wardens and guards to those of curators and artists, but McKenzie has her reasons.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 2025
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But the 37-year-old doesn’t always see eye to eye with fans, at least not those who frequently heckle him, and Pham’s reaction is too often rude, crude and lewd.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That dispute was patched over by an ungainly agreement, negotiated between the European Commission and the U.S. government.—
Henry Farrell,
Foreign Affairs,
3 Apr. 2025
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Examples imported from 1975 through 1985 had rather ungainly impact bumpers, so early, chrome-bumper cars are aesthetically more desirable.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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These chewy ginger candies are her secret weapon for taming an uneasy stomach naturally.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2025
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The Wall Street firm predicted that international institutional investors could be rethinking their appetite and risk-reward in U.S. investments as the current uneasy macroenvironment keeps them on edge.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Unlike its larger counterparts that may feel unwieldy within the confines of the hallowed relish tray, the little forks are just the right size for daintily placing in small bowls of various pickled delights, from okra to onions, or nestling alongside the crudités.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
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Comment By necessity of its ambitious and sometimes unwieldy four-seasons-in-one structure, the second season of Andor has developed, at its midway point, a complex relationship with time.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Vulture,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clumsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clumsy. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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