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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
felt clumsy in the unfamiliar uniform
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in rude
hastily or roughly constructed
a clumsy mock-up of the real thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 clumsy
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
While that bout is remembered for its character work, the in-ring action is often criticized for being slow and clumsy, a common complaint among many fans of the bout.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Shira is a clumsy mess who’s never quite gotten over various childhood traumas, and eventually marries and has kids with Kendra (Nicole Byer).
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
But users can instruct it to be tentative, hesitant, self-questioning or even deliberately clumsy.
—Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clumsy
Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
While that bout is remembered for its character work, the in-ring action is often criticized for being slow and clumsy, a common complaint among many fans of the bout.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Shira is a clumsy mess who’s never quite gotten over various childhood traumas, and eventually marries and has kids with Kendra (Nicole Byer).
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
But users can instruct it to be tentative, hesitant, self-questioning or even deliberately clumsy.
—Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clumsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clumsy
Adjective
-
After a 21-year absence from Wrigley Field that ended earlier this summer, the weekend ceremonies seemed to signal the conclusion to an awkward, ongoing saga.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
However, nothing negates the unique way in which people from the South embrace socializing with each other, which brings us to a potentially awkward situation that arises often enough and gives grief to even the most polite Southerners.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This echoes remarks his envoy Steve Witkoff made after the latest round of talks collapsed, slamming Hamas as uncoordinated and not acting in good faith and saying the US would explore alternative options to secure hostage release and stabilize Gaza.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Moreover, uncoordinated attacks, often by motivated individuals acting on their own, can still occur, as has happened in Israel since 2023.—
DANIEL BYMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
The father said the priest asked about masturbation and pornography, and that his son was uncomfortable and reported it immediately after leaving church.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The content is absurd, borderline uncomfortable and consistently viral.—
Leeron Walter,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
My wooden Slazenger made hitting winners difficult in the same way that my humming Selectric made rewriting sentences cumbersome.—
Thomas Swick
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Second Amendment advocates say city-by-city ordinances would be cumbersome for permit holders commuting daily between jurisdictions.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In interviews, Candy, who struggled with his weight for much of his life, had to deal with the press making rude comments about his size.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
-
This question becomes thornier once Dorotea visits Rocca in prison, finding her rude and abrasive though not irrational.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
On land, hippos appear slow and ungainly.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
An absolute charmer, The Tale of Silyan is an affecting look at the human-avian bond, with all its mysteries, warmth and ungainly practicalities.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And that helped to resolve that weird uneasy tension in my head.—
Maria Reva
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The safe-haven asset offers investors a hedge against an uneasy financial environment as a sharp hiring slowdown coincides with a steady uptick of inflation, according to analysts.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The cycle that Columbine helped kick off has evolved into a subculture that is dark, unwieldy, and durable.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Gleeson, Frei, Key, Gregg, and Young are very good, too (although many of their castmates get lost in the unwieldy ensemble).—
Judy Berman,
Time,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clumsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clumsy. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share