as in inexperience
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Recent Examples of clumsiness
O’Hara sinks into the role, embracing the inherent clumsiness of community theater while celebrating its flaws.
—
Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
On immigration enforcement—Trump’s signature issue—the brutality and clumsiness of the mass-deportation campaign has decreased public support for the president’s agenda and increased the number of Americans who strongly disapprove of ICE.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Complete with easy, unstructured choreography, Fiyero’s loose movement mirrors the Scarecrow's clumsiness.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
The clumsiness feels important in other ways, too.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 23 Oct. 2025
Police in Oklahoma witnessed the clumsiness of nature when a wildlife rescue turned from pure-hearted Disney moment into Discovery channel outtake, video shows.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
And this is in addition to our ongoing on-pitch tactical clumsiness and lack of motivation for big games.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
His uncharacteristic clumsiness amused me.
—Tao Lin, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
On immigration enforcement—Trump’s signature issue—the brutality and clumsiness of the mass-deportation campaign has decreased public support for the president’s agenda and increased the number of Americans who strongly disapprove of ICE.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Complete with easy, unstructured choreography, Fiyero’s loose movement mirrors the Scarecrow's clumsiness.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
The clumsiness feels important in other ways, too.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 23 Oct. 2025
Police in Oklahoma witnessed the clumsiness of nature when a wildlife rescue turned from pure-hearted Disney moment into Discovery channel outtake, video shows.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
And this is in addition to our ongoing on-pitch tactical clumsiness and lack of motivation for big games.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
His uncharacteristic clumsiness amused me.
—Tao Lin, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clumsiness
Noun
-
The question, then, is why Florida opted for the route of inexperience.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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That leaves a choice between Jefferson Lerma, who is not a natural centre-back having largely played in midfield, Jaydee Canvot, whose inexperience has shown in his inconsistent performances and Chadi Riad, who has spent most of the past 18 months out injured.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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These surrenders might occur because of unpreparedness or life changes.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
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There’s some rudeness, aggressive conversations, and crudeness, but nothing too over the top.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This ethic has been especially true in the renowned Sports section, which was killed in a Zoom announcement notable for its belly-wriggling cowardice and self-owning incompetence.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
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Dwala Marie Lehman had been charged with professional incompetence in the death of 77-year-old Lynne Stewart, who wandered out a door and wasn't found until 15 hours later in minus-11-degree cold.—
Clark Kauffman,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The District Attorney’s Office said a finding of incompetency does not dismiss the case or result in a defendant’s release, and that proceedings will resume if Mock is later deemed competent.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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Maybe that data suggests incompetency in the sporting director role.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Although the Bobcats scored more points in the paint, their inability to stop the Eagles' forward on the interior led to excessive fouling.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
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Tua’s inability to perform against the league’s top teams is a major drawback.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clumsiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clumsiness. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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