Thesaurus

clumsy

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of clumsy

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

Diamond cutting is no job for a clumsy person.

Synonyms of clumsy

awkward, butterfingered, graceless, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed, left-handed, maladroit, unhandy

Words Related to clumsy

bunglesome, bungling, gauche, inept, inexpert, unskilled, unskillful

Phrases Synonymous with clumsy

all thumbs

Near Antonyms of clumsy

expert, masterly, skilled, skillful

Antonyms of clumsy

deft, dexterous (also dextrous), handy, sure-handed

2 having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner

a clumsy bow

clumsy on the dance floor

Synonyms of clumsy

awkward, gawkish, gawky, graceless, klutzy, uncoordinated, ungainly

Words Related to clumsy

galumphing, lubberly, lumbering, lumpish, shambling, shuffling, unsteady, wobbly (also wabbly)

Near Antonyms of clumsy

light, light-footed (also light-foot), lissome (also lissom), lithe, nimble, sure-footed

Antonyms of clumsy

coordinated, graceful

3 lacking social grace and assurance

felt clumsy in the unfamiliar uniform

Synonyms of clumsy

awkward, gauche, graceless, inelegant, rough-hewn, rustic (also rustical), stiff, stilted, uncomfortable, uneasy, ungraceful, wooden

Words Related to clumsy

angular, gawky, lubberly, ungainly

boorish, clownish, uncouth

abashed, discomfited, discomforted, discomposed, disconcerted, discountenanced, embarrassed

agitated, bothered, chagrined, dismayed, disquieted, distressed, disturbed, fazed, flustered, jittery, jumpy, mortified, nervous, nonplussed (also nonplused), perturbed, rattled, unhinged, unsettled, upset

diffident, insecure, meek, modest, self-doubting, timid, unassertive, unassuming, unpretentious

Near Antonyms of clumsy

assured, calm, collected, composed, confident, cool, placid, poised, secure, self-assured, self-confident, self-possessed, serene, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed

Antonyms of clumsy

graceful, suave, urbane

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

a clumsy joke

Synonyms of clumsy

awkward, botched, bungling, fumbled, inept, inexpert, maladroit

Words Related to clumsy

amateur, amateurish, crude, green, incompetent, ineffectual, inefficient, inexperienced, unpolished, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful

careless, sloppy, tacky, tactless, undiplomatic

ill-advised, ineffective, ineffectual, misdirected, misguided

Near Antonyms of clumsy

able, accomplished, adept, capable, clever, competent, consummate, crackerjack, expert, masterful, masterly, polished, professional, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented

diplomatic, easy, effortless, gracious, smooth, tactful

Antonyms of clumsy

adroit, deft, dexterous (also dextrous), facile

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

a clumsy contraption, but it got the job done

Synonyms of clumsy

awkward, clunky, cranky, cumbersome, cumbrous, ponderous, ungainly, unhandy, unwieldy

Words Related to clumsy

uncontrollable, unmanageable

bulky, elephantine, heavy, hulking, massive

Near Antonyms of clumsy

functional, practicable, practical, serviceable, useful

Antonyms of clumsy

6 hastily or roughly constructed

a clumsy mock-up of the real thing

Synonyms of clumsy

artless, crude, jerry-built, jerry-rigged, jury-rigged, rough, rough-and-ready, rough-and-tumble, rough-hewn, rude, unrefined

Words Related to clumsy

defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect

imprecise, inexact

inartistic, undressed, unfinished, unpolished, unworked

amateur, amateurish, inexpert, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful

primitive, rudimentary

unshaped, unshapen

Near Antonyms of clumsy

faultless, finished, flawless, meticulous, perfect, perfected, polished, well-done

adept, adroit, dexterous (also dextrous), expert, masterful, masterly, neat, practiced (also practised), skillful, workmanlike

artful, artistic, sophisticated

Antonyms of clumsy

Synonym Discussion of clumsy

awkward, clumsy, maladroit, inept, gauche mean not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct). awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact.

- periods of awkward silence

clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

- a clumsy mechanic

maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations.

- a maladroit politician

inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

- a hopelessly inept defense attorney

gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

- felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

Learn More about clumsy

Dictionary: Definition of clumsy Spanish Central: Translation of clumsy Nglish: Translation of clumsy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of clumsy for Arabic speakers

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