1
as in clumsy
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands
some maladroit steering on her part caused the bicycle to go crashing into the bushes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awkward
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
the socially maladroit young man often has a difficult time meeting new people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maladroit
DeSantis tried to take his show on the road via a quest for the presidential nomination, but his culture warfare didn’t obscure his maladroit skills on the stump.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
After the election came a string of unflattering headlines about her alleged mismanagement of the vice president’s office and her sometimes maladroit communication of the president’s agenda, most notably on immigration.
—Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Washington Post, 22 July 2024
MacFarlane, who performed many of the characters (including the hapless Peter, the maniacal baby Stewie and the erudite dog Brian), was joined by Alex Borstein (as faithful wife Lois), Seth Green (socially maladroit son Chris) and Mila Kunis (perpetually scapegoated daughter Meg).
—Dave Itzkoff, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Every possible strategy that Senate Republicans might be following is maladroit to a degree one associates less with the Senate than with the House under Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 30 Aug. 2023
Yes, there is always a danger that a maladroit statement or some baffling syntax will go viral.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 3 July 2023
Factor in a politically maladroit Afghan government and endemic corruption, and once the Taliban began to roll up government surrenders in the provinces, their offensive took on a life of its own.
—The Editors, National Review, 15 Aug. 2021
The series is itself like a socially awkward teen-age nerd—charming but maladroit, heedless, a little exhausting.
—Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 10 May 2020
His own party criticizes what many call his maladroit communication on an anxiety-inducing subject.
—Adam Nossiter, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2019
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
After the election came a string of unflattering headlines about her alleged mismanagement of the vice president’s office and her sometimes maladroit communication of the president’s agenda, most notably on immigration.
—Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Washington Post, 22 July 2024
MacFarlane, who performed many of the characters (including the hapless Peter, the maniacal baby Stewie and the erudite dog Brian), was joined by Alex Borstein (as faithful wife Lois), Seth Green (socially maladroit son Chris) and Mila Kunis (perpetually scapegoated daughter Meg).
—Dave Itzkoff, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Every possible strategy that Senate Republicans might be following is maladroit to a degree one associates less with the Senate than with the House under Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 30 Aug. 2023
Yes, there is always a danger that a maladroit statement or some baffling syntax will go viral.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 3 July 2023
Factor in a politically maladroit Afghan government and endemic corruption, and once the Taliban began to roll up government surrenders in the provinces, their offensive took on a life of its own.
—The Editors, National Review, 15 Aug. 2021
The series is itself like a socially awkward teen-age nerd—charming but maladroit, heedless, a little exhausting.
—Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 10 May 2020
His own party criticizes what many call his maladroit communication on an anxiety-inducing subject.
—Adam Nossiter, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maladroit
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
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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
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Maladroit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maladroit. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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