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 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 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
  • The Eurozone benefits from a better debt situation, though, as the Debt-to-GDP ratio is below 88% compared to an uncomfortable 124% for the U.S.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The conversation had turned uncomfortable, leaving a deal that was at the finish line suddenly dead.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Bill Belichick’s daughter-in-law seems none too pleased with his girlfriend Jordon Hudson, shading the 24-year-old for her behavior during the Super Bowl winner’s awkward new CBS interview as former Patriots Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski defended Hudson.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
  • The situation was made more awkward by the lack of support from anyone else at the table.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Imagine being cuddled by long-legged, clumsy poodles.
    Brian Mann, NPR, 20 Apr. 2025
  • That’s — actually kind of genius, especially if the Poet was a clumsy fella who needed that kind of precautionary measure.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Consumer sentiment and expectations Americans are feeling uneasy about the economy, and that is showing up in the data.
    Russ Wiles, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Markets have been turbulent ever since as trade policy uncertainty leaves investors uneasy.
    Chris DiLella, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Los Angeles Lakers were embarrassed on their home court to start the NBA Playoffs on Saturday night, as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat them 117-95 in a game where starters didn’t even need to stay on the floor throughout the fourth quarter.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Why do some people ruminate after social events? Broadly speaking, people living with social anxiety possess a fear of being judged by others negatively and of being embarrassed in social situations, say Steele and Di Bartolomeo.
    Seraphina Seow, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gauche.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauche. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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