CLUMSINESS Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

clumsiness

noun

Definition of clumsiness

as in inexperience

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of clumsiness Not for the first time, the president’s clumsiness is likely to negate his malevolence, though not without considerable cost, in time and money, to Comey. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Let a hypothermic victim get some sleep After the shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and clumsiness of hypothermia have manifested, an exposure victim also gets drowsy. — Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 15 July 2026 In January 2024, Lola was diagnosed with leukemia after her parents initially mistook bruises appearing across her body for childhood clumsiness. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026 The tree, which graces a botanical garden, bears patient witness to all manner of human clumsiness. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 May 2026 For Perssonatti, the disease is more about fatigue, brain fog, word salad, and clumsiness. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026 The desire for more speed also demonstrated some of the internal clumsiness Weiss and her close inner circle have lamented on the technical side. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026 This wouldn't come from a place of hostility, but due to his clumsiness and trailing tail. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026 Technology is closing that gap, not through virtue, but through clumsiness. — Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap, Forbes.com, 25 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clumsiness

Noun

The Fins will get a bit of a charge here from their home opener, but not enough to make up for the Chiefs’ big advantages in inexperience and talent.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
Now healthy, his inclusion on the playoff roster would be a gamble that his elite stuff can mask his inexperience.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of inexperience

Noun

For listeners familiar enough with safety systems to fully appreciate the danger, miscommunication, unpreparedness or negligence in these stories, the tales provide riveting entertainment, in their own grim way.

— Brian Laidlaw, Longreads, 1 Sep. 2026
Life has always penalized unpreparedness and lack of diligence.

— byDoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 June 2026

Definition of unpreparedness

Noun

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities has been revealed as a nest of incompetence in its powerful central office.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
At the start of the 1986-87 season, a combination of previous boardroom incompetence and broader economics saw Middlesbrough not just in the Third Division, but with their ground, Ayresome Park, padlocked.

— Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of incompetence

Noun

Court records show DeFoor has a history of criminal cases involving findings of mental incompetency.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Those forms are not pertinent to the finding of incompetency and are therefore subject to the open records law, Ziegler and Bradley wrote.

— Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of incompetency

Noun

During his time in Seattle, Richard Sherman was infamous for his inability to ever take accountability for his wrongdoing.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
A week ago, the Chiefs blamed their lack of pass rush on an inability to force third-and-distance spots.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of inability

Browse Nearby Words

clumsily

clumsiness

clumsy

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Style

“Clumsiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clumsiness. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of clumsiness

noun

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