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
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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
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
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
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
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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Chris and Emilia’s conversation is suddenly interrupted by a premature explosion, which was caused by a clumsy member of a militia group called the Sons of Liberty.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Tiny, slow and clumsy — these hatchlings are an easy snack for predators.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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After a 21-year absence from Wrigley Field that ended earlier this summer, the weekend ceremonies seemed to signal the conclusion to an awkward, ongoing saga.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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However, nothing negates the unique way in which people from the South embrace socializing with each other, which brings us to a potentially awkward situation that arises often enough and gives grief to even the most polite Southerners.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maladroit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maladroit. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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