Synonyms of indelicate

indelicate

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈde-li-kət 

as in inappropriate

showing poor judgment especially in personal relationships or social situations

the company considered his indelicate handling of such a personal matter to be unprofessional

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inappropriate
• improper
• indiscreet
• tactless
• injudicious
• imprudent
• careless
• inadvisable
• stupid
• unwise
• undiplomatic
• brash
• ill-advised
• dumb
• silly
• idiotic
• graceless
• foolish
• thoughtless
• indecorous
• unseemly
• inconsiderate
• heedless
• unbecoming
• moronic
• uncivil
• mindless
• preposterous
• nonsensical
• ill-mannered
• harebrained
• senseless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advisable
• wise
• judicious
• prudent
• discreet
• appropriate
• sound
• logical
• tactful
• intelligent
• rational
• sensible
• proper
• civil
• becoming
• smart
• decorous
• seemly
• sane
• sage
• sapient

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective indelicate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of indelicate are improper, indecorous, unbecoming, and unseemly. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

When might improper be a better fit than indelicate?

The meanings of improper and indelicate largely overlap; however, improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method.

improper use of campaign contributions

When can indecorous be used instead of indelicate?

In some situations, the words indecorous and indelicate are roughly equivalent. However, indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

In what contexts can unbecoming take the place of indelicate?

While the synonyms unbecoming and indelicate are close in meaning, unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

When is it sensible to use unseemly instead of indelicate?

The words unseemly and indelicate can be used in similar contexts, but unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of indelicate

The phrasing was indelicate, but the idea that Canada lacks a cohesive identity is not a novel proposition. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025

In its first two seasons, viewers have gone on transcontinental journeys, including an indelicate hotel manager in Hawaii and a strange love square in Italy. —Shivani Gonzalez, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025

Advertisement The president-elect’s style — brash, indelicate and pugilistic — is distilled in his son. —Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024

The pair also sparred on a more indelicate campaign trail moment. —Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024