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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inelegant
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
Their ingenious creation — an unlikely combination of spacesuit parts, duct tape, and the suddenly obsolete mission plan — encapsulates the film in an inelegant nutshell.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inelegant
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
Their ingenious creation — an unlikely combination of spacesuit parts, duct tape, and the suddenly obsolete mission plan — encapsulates the film in an inelegant nutshell.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inelegant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inelegant
Adjective
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The uncomfortable truth — considering the amount of blood and treasure spent — is that military solutions on their own rarely succeed.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
When swallowing becomes difficult, eating can feel tiring or uncomfortable.—
Sundeep Venkatesan,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And the more powerful drugs on the horizon could bring options for people who don’t get enough benefit from currently available therapies – but also, doctors warned, the risk of inappropriate use.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
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Watchdog agency said facilities intentionally misdiagnose residents with dementia to hide inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs.—
Christopher Rowland,
Washington Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
McGee meets one of a clumsy TURF intern Pete, who is revealed to be Olivia's 18-year-old son, Matteo (Patrick Keleher) under interrogation.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
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Actors from Reiner’s movies gathered onstage — although the camera didn’t catch their faces, a sadly clumsy gaffe.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The application for the $100,000 life insurance policy included errors, including an incorrect Social Security number for Eric Richins, an insurance agent testified.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
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An earlier version of the story provided the incorrect month.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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One possibility that can’t be ruled out is the Red Sox could trade Yoshida, who has played great since last September but who has become an awkward roster fit.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
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The world was first introduced to Saoirse-Monica Jackson as the awkward and expressive schoolgirl Erin Quinn in Derry Girls, navigating Troubles-era Northern Ireland and its conflict with the same fervor as her crushes, convent school, and cringe-inducing teenage chaos.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The disease causes bitter, misshapen fruit unsuitable for sale or eating; infected trees eventually die, according to the CDFA.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
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So many clubs have fallen victim to unsuitable ownership and abject mismanagement, dragged down far beyond their natural level.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Over years and then decades, the two women’s relationship swings between fierce sisterhood, bitter jealousy and an uneasy combination of the two.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Mar. 2026
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Reportedly, Kate is uneasy about the way Harry and Meghan have criticized the monarchy.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Gilberto and Kleberson formed an unfashionable midfield duo largely unknown outside Brazil.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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Here’s a rapid-fire update on each stock in the portfolio, starting with seven currently unfashionable names that Jim says should soon be back in style.—
Paulina Likos,Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inelegant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inelegant. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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