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
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Recent Examples of indelicate
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
Clutch effort is Herculean, and shifting—like the recoil of a big-bore automatic handgun—is indelicate but infinitely satisfying.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2024
These nude illusions always look underwhelming, the shapes are indelicate, and the roots don’t blend with the geometric element.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for indelicate
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
Clutch effort is Herculean, and shifting—like the recoil of a big-bore automatic handgun—is indelicate but infinitely satisfying.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2024
These nude illusions always look underwhelming, the shapes are indelicate, and the roots don’t blend with the geometric element.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for indelicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indelicate
Adjective
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Originally a producer on the project, he was fired for cause after at least one incident of inappropriate behavior on Runner that included bullying and yelling at crew.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
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Screenshot inappropriate gun marketing content and circulate it.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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And while ear piercing is generally safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) lists several adverse outcomes to improper piercing and piercing care, such as infection at the piercing site, bloodstream infections, allergic reactions, cuts and tears, and keloid formation.—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
9 May 2025
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Most of the improper payments in 2022 were due to unintentional mistakes by state workers or households, rather than intentional fraud, according to an analysis of the data by the left-leaning Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Hegseth’s indiscreet texts also pose serious intelligence risks.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2025
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If this text had been received by someone hostile to American interests—or someone merely indiscreet, and with access to social media—the Houthis would have had time to prepare for what was meant to be a surprise attack on their strongholds.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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On the dark side, Mercury in Sagittarius can be overly blunt and tactless in communication.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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Rian Johnson’s intricate script thrived on detailed dissections of its rich and awful suspects, including plenty of pointed jabs at Hudson’s oblivious model and tactless brand ambassador — two titles Hudson herself has held.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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So maybe use the feelings aroused by your sister-in-law’s thoughtless, certainly injudicious, possibly naughty remark as an opportunity to rise above.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2024
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What The Meng Episode Means (1): Is Huawei A Tool of The CCP? Meng’s release, and injudicious remarks, do not bode well for Huawei.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes,
27 Sep. 2021
Adjective
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There is no place in our organization for such bias, grudge-holding, or careless voting.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
1 May 2025
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Knight was also cited on suspicion of careless operation of a vessel and violation of navigation rules in the 2019 incident, but the charges were dismissed in 2020, court records show.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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She was officially charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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However, in almost one-third of states, including California and New York, annually spending more than 7% of an endowment’s fair market value, measured by a three-year average, is presumed to be imprudent.—
Ellen P. Aprill,
The Conversation,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This inadvisable structure will cost city taxpayers an additional $2 billion over the next 30 years than otherwise would have been the case.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2025
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Criticizing another nominee’s tactics is an inadvisable step for someone on the Oscar track; the act can come off as combative, and the Academy can penalize attacks against fellow contenders.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
22 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indelicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indelicate. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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