as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
his loud talking at the opera marked him as gauche and uncultured
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Recent Examples of gauche
For a scene at the iconically gauche-glam nightclub and restaurant Tatiana — where the surf and turf will run you $99 — only five crew members went inside.
—
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
The reason is very simple—the Noto palazzo was very gauche and fit for the party later in the season, to be thrown by Hollander’s character.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Dec. 2022
That would be too gauche, too legislative for the court.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 19 May 2022
Dear Looking: Greeting your host with your Gladware out and at the ready is definitely gauche.
—Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 28 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for gauche
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
The reason is very simple—the Noto palazzo was very gauche and fit for the party later in the season, to be thrown by Hollander’s character.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Dec. 2022
That would be too gauche, too legislative for the court.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 19 May 2022
Dear Looking: Greeting your host with your Gladware out and at the ready is definitely gauche.
—Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 28 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for gauche
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauche
Adjective
-
Although the meeting went smoothly and led to concrete commitments, the bonhomie was strained by uncomfortable questions at a news conference about the issue hanging over the day’s diplomacy.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Rather than telegraphing trouble in paradise, the move could simply be a styling choice—or a response to high temperatures, which cause one’s hands to swell and can make wearing a ring uncomfortable.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The rise of digital payment systems has made tipping both easier and more awkward, especially when prompts appear at counters, kiosks and drive-thru windows.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Use this a couple of times a week for smoother, brighter skin (without getting sunburnt and sand in awkward places).—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But in that moment, my 40 years of skiing experience evaporated, and the bulletproof snow and thick crowds transformed me into an anxious and clumsy mess.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
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Following the adventures of the titular sheep, the franchise’s latest takes place at Mossy Bottom Farm on Halloween Eve, watching as excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Neighbors fear rising violence Residents said the shooting has left them uneasy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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But by evening, an uneasy calm had settled across the city.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Farhood enrolled at a local community college and worked multiple serving jobs, playing around with makeup and sharing images of just her eyes to a personal Instagram account — too embarrassed that her friends might find out about her hobby.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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But after his team was embarrassed in Ottawa, Sturm had a good feeling about is players.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gauche.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauche. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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