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
And, here’s the kicker, and the most annoying part: They are served in cardboard boxes, which makes eating them at a table inelegant at best.
—
Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025
Director Benedict Andrews has adapted the text with a heavy, though not inelegant, push toward contemporary British rhythms and mores, and the ensemble gets the street-clothes-with-a-nod-to-character treatment.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
But the controversy over Newsom’s inelegant statement goes to the heart of the Democratic divide right now.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Director Benedict Andrews has adapted the text with a heavy, though not inelegant, push toward contemporary British rhythms and mores, and the ensemble gets the street-clothes-with-a-nod-to-character treatment.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inelegant
Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025
Director Benedict Andrews has adapted the text with a heavy, though not inelegant, push toward contemporary British rhythms and mores, and the ensemble gets the street-clothes-with-a-nod-to-character treatment.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
But the controversy over Newsom’s inelegant statement goes to the heart of the Democratic divide right now.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Director Benedict Andrews has adapted the text with a heavy, though not inelegant, push toward contemporary British rhythms and mores, and the ensemble gets the street-clothes-with-a-nod-to-character treatment.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inelegant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inelegant
Adjective
-
Removing 55 books the governor’s political party is uncomfortable with is not ethical or legal.—
Robert Kesten,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
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For some, the action echoes uncomfortable historical chapters when politicians used language to paint predominantly Black cities with racist narratives to shape public opinion and justify police action.—
John Seewer,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Avoid anything offensive, violent or inappropriate.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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In the video, Adams accuses the man of being inappropriate with a minor on Grindr, a LGBTQ+ dating and social networking app where the minimum age to make an account is 18.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Any move to unify systems and say goodbye to clumsy data management couldn't be more crucial—or opportune.—
Charles Crouchman,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Every summer a disposable camera was tucked into my camp bag, where clumsy photos, often with a thumb peeking in, were snapped with reckless abandon.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
One persistent issue is hallucinations, where the AI fabricates information that may seem plausible but is factually incorrect.—
Sameer Ather,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The Directors Guild of America has advised its members that the WGA’s position is incorrect, and that they may be contractually obligated to perform such activities during a strike.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The coming weeks are the slow limp forwards that Putin wants: Tension between Trump and Zelensky first, followed by European pressure on Trump to ease off on Zelensky, followed by awkward and technical stalling over a three-way meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelensky.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Kyler Murray completed seven of his eight passes, with one awkward misread going for a pick: Third-year running back Bam Knight busted out on a 27-yard rush, and his backfield teammate Emari Demercado took a screen pass all the way to the house.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Although recoveries occurred, the stock’s drastic declines underscore a volatility profile that is unsuitable for risk-averse investors.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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The woman said robot vacuums are ideal for light maintenance if used frequently, but are unsuitable for vacuuming the entire apartment.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The United States and China have settled into a steady state of pragmatic, if uneasy, détente.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
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Reading Zeller’s book, I was reminded that there is a kind of uneasy fellowship in this condition—a vast, involuntary community of people mapping out their lives between attacks, haunted by uncertainty but sustained in part by accounts like his.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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From the gorgeous, earthy stripe on Madewell’s mini skirt to a romantic floral print on Belle Poque’s midi dress, these designs will put a unique spin on any outfit, without looking unfashionable in less than a year.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Aug. 2025
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Some people worry that one-piece swimsuits appear unfashionable or dated.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inelegant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inelegant. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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