1
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
inelegant teens still learning how to act at formal events
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inappropriate
marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste
inelegant furniture that looked like it belonged in a budget motel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inelegant
Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the most common mineral filters, are notoriously finicky ingredients—the thick white powders are cosmetically inelegant and prone to leaving white casts, particularly on deeper skin tones.
—
Dani Hardman, Allure, 15 Sep. 2025
A certain inelegant hastiness in the plot has been resolved by treating the monologues almost as arias, giving them each an equal sense of grandeur, like the relentless finale of a fireworks display.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2025
To some, camels are slow, even inelegant.
—Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Thompson’s American accent is something to behold: flat, inelegant, and charmless, which is to say, the opposite of how Thompson usually sounds, and for playing the gay American version of herself, Thompson won the Emmy for Guest Star in a Comedy.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inelegant
Dani Hardman, Allure, 15 Sep. 2025
A certain inelegant hastiness in the plot has been resolved by treating the monologues almost as arias, giving them each an equal sense of grandeur, like the relentless finale of a fireworks display.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2025
To some, camels are slow, even inelegant.
—Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Thompson’s American accent is something to behold: flat, inelegant, and charmless, which is to say, the opposite of how Thompson usually sounds, and for playing the gay American version of herself, Thompson won the Emmy for Guest Star in a Comedy.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inelegant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inelegant
Adjective
-
And this is where things get uncomfortable for the top seed.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Wilson has claimed that MacInnes told her that the incident made the young actress uncomfortable.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Over the following 12 days, investigators determined that Lulinski had used his cell phone on multiple occasions to take inappropriate and surreptitious photos or videos of minors during normal school activities.—
CBS Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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But inappropriate behavior toward and with subordinates is too often not a shocking secret within the halls of Congress.—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Even young Oklahoma City required a clumsy postseason audition.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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The driver and his accomplice then mounted a clumsy getaway that resulted in their scooter crashing about three blocks from the scene, cops said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Intelligence is basically anything with a pretty clear definition between the set of correct and incorrect answers—think tasks in coding, mathematics, physics, and even some tasks in accounting, law, or medicine.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
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The market said the confusion came from incorrect AI search results on apps like Google and Instagram.—
Rashad Alexander,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Big Bang Theory followed a group of socially awkward scientist friends navigating work, friendship and relationships, with Parsons portraying Sheldon Cooper, a brilliant but eccentric physicist known for his rigid routines, lack of social awareness and sharp intellect.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
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Which leaves marijuana in an awkward middle ground as a substance that’s too normalized to generate inherent conflict, and too mild to drive high-stakes drama.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Unless the seeds were stored in a damp or otherwise unsuitable location, seed germination rates don’t decline all at once.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Apr. 2026
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Corn is an unsuitable companion plant for peppers due to its towering size.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This kind of bare-knuckle politics might explain why so many other GOP leaders are uneasy.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
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The entire record is a Trojan horse—a clear vision of white womanhood that hides a whole lot of churning, uneasy feelings.—
Shaad D’Souza,
Pitchfork,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Her method was simple and, in the current market, unfashionable: commit early, stay long, and place carefully.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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Gilberto and Kleberson formed an unfashionable midfield duo largely unknown outside Brazil.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inelegant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inelegant. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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