Definition of gauchenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gauche contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gauche are awkward, clumsy, inept, and maladroit. While all these words mean "not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct)," gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

When is it sensible to use awkward instead of gauche?

The words awkward and gauche can be used in similar contexts, but awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact.

periods of awkward silence

Where would clumsy be a reasonable alternative to gauche?

The synonyms clumsy and gauche are sometimes interchangeable, but clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

a clumsy mechanic

When would inept be a good substitute for gauche?

While in some cases nearly identical to gauche, inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

a hopelessly inept defense attorney

In what contexts can maladroit take the place of gauche?

The words maladroit and gauche are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations.

a maladroit politician

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 gauche Big engagement rings are gauche! Fran Tirado, Them, 20 Dec. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for gauche
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauche
Adjective
  • And second, there’s the audience’s uncomfortable tingle of recognition watching Vladimir Putin’s tightening stranglehold on the Russian press.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Fortunately, there are many people who care enough about ballet to face these uncomfortable truths, and who are working to bring ballet into the twenty-first century by challenging traditions that don’t serve dancers’ health or the long-term health of the artform.
    Chloe Angyal, Time, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Our awkward hero copes with grief through humor while navigating relationships with her type-A sister (Sian Clifford), her nasty stepmother (Olivia Colman), and, in season 2, a hot priest (Andrew Scott).
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
  • This profound snow drought comes at an especially awkward time, compounding a quarter-century of regional aridification that has drained the nation’s two largest reservoirs to precarious depths.
    Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That makes the killers kind of human and fallible and clumsy, and these movies get a lot of mileage out of the slapstick shenanigans of their slasher chases.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Then, however, Phillips was sent off four minutes into the second half for a clumsy lunge at Svante Ingelsson, and suddenly Wednesday believed.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Many travelers feel 'uneasy' about going abroad.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The United States and Israel’s widening war with Iran has stricken an already uneasy global economy with a new bout of uncertainty.
    Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • No doubt some were downright embarrassed.
    Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
  • After being embarrassed 3-0 by LAFC in the season opener, Inter Miami has bounced back strongly, and accepted an invitation to visit the White House, which was still scheduled to take place on Thursday.
    Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gauche.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauche. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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