1
as in clumsy
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands
a graceless person who was a butterfingered lout when it came to playing basketball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
was a graceless preteen but evolved into a confident teenager
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
one guest made a graceless comment about the bride's bleached hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in awkward
having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner
her graceless dancing was painful to watch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in improper
showing poor judgment especially in personal relationships or social situations
indifferent to the nuances of constructive criticism, she sometimes says things which are hurtful or graceless
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 graceless
Ingebrigtsen has proven excellent at running but somewhat graceless in both victory and defeat, especially the latter.
—
Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 6 Aug. 2024
Trump’s remarks were monumentally graceless, showing again the emptiness of his character.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2024
Still, Trump should want her endorsement and should be trying to woo her — and those voters — instead of engaging in his typically graceless behavior.
—The Editors, National Review, 6 Mar. 2024
The other band members were gracious and discreet, but enough was said to leave the impression of a faintly aristocratic Reed who was graceless and intransigent.
—Ian Penman, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for graceless
Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 6 Aug. 2024
Trump’s remarks were monumentally graceless, showing again the emptiness of his character.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2024
Still, Trump should want her endorsement and should be trying to woo her — and those voters — instead of engaging in his typically graceless behavior.
—The Editors, National Review, 6 Mar. 2024
The other band members were gracious and discreet, but enough was said to leave the impression of a faintly aristocratic Reed who was graceless and intransigent.
—Ian Penman, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for graceless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for graceless
Adjective
-
Arturs Silovs looked a bit clumsy in the first period and his rebound control was less than stellar.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Actually, Alma does suffer from ulcers, which cause her extraordinary stomach pain and vomiting at inconvenient moments, and cause viewers to wonder not if but when such clumsy symbolic traits will be trotted out in the future.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Pay close attention to signs that a new sweater is uncomfortable or causing your dog pain.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Taking their uncomfortable seats were Josh Greenstein, president of marketing and production; Sanford Panitch, president of production; and Steven O’Dell, president of international marketing.—
Jay Glennie,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And if the gifts this year are inappropriate, the fault will rest solely with him.—
Mark Mondier,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
-
After Ansari set Being Mortal as his directorial debut in February 2022, also set to star alongside Murray, Deadline reported exclusively that April that Searchlight Pictures had suspended production following allegations of inappropriate behavior against Murray.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Pickens caught a pass around the 26-yard line and blazed past cornerback Mike Jackson on an awkward angle for the score.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Teammate Ji’Ayir Brown rolled up on the back of Warner’s ankle while trying to make a tackle on Rachaad White, and Warner’s ankle bent at an awkward angle.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This violation falls under a broader category of improper passing rules, as a driver may not use the shoulder for passing.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Here are some signs to look for and how to fix improper watering to get your plant's health back on the right track.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This uneasy detente between Matty and Olympia drives much of the rest of this episode’s plot.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Wichita police are asking for the public’s help identifying a woman reportedly taken by force early Sunday morning — an incident that has left neighbors uneasy.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Financial promotion rules prevent inappropriate marketing to unsuitable investors.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
According to a study published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment in 2024, up to 70% of current wine-producing regions could become unsuitable for growing grapes if global temperatures rise by more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels.—
Miguel A. Torres,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The shock to Hal and Kate’s equilibrium, already unsteady to begin with, is even more rewarding.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The senator seemed unsteady, but got up and kept walking with the help of his detail.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Graceless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/graceless. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share