maladroitly

adverb

Definition of maladroitlynext
as in unskillfully

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maladroitly
  1. clumsily
  2. gracelessly
  3. ineptly
  4. awkwardly
Adverb
  • This is yet another movie that aims rather clumsily for shock value by dwelling on consumption and meat, like many a grisly eating-disorder horror opus of late.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • The men’s styles collide clumsily with Nashville’s party people, who are at least a decade younger and many drinks deeper.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
Definition of clumsily
Adverb
  • This kind of beauty has nothing to do with perfection, which is distributed so arbitrarily and approximated so gracelessly.
    — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026
Definition of gracelessly
Adverb
  • The collapse of the Constitution’s balance of powers between three branches of government got us into an unneeded war conducted ineptly.
    — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Dancing the Poznan really ineptly, mind you, but dancing nonetheless.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of ineptly
Adverb
  • Villa hope the injury is not serious for McGinn, but the Scotland international came off after landing awkwardly on his left knee.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • On a subsequent visit six months later, Jason noticed one of the Italian-designer couches pushed awkwardly against the wall and asked why.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of awkwardly
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

maladroit
maladroitly
maladroitness
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Cite this Entry

“Maladroitly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maladroitly. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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