TACTLESSLY Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

tactlessly

adverb

Definition of tactlessly

as in rudely

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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.

Recent Examples of tactlessly Some conservative Latino voices in Virginia view the Spanberger campaign’s choice of venue at a Mexican restaurant as tactlessly pandering to Latino voters. — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025 As long as there are politicians who seek to lower flags or have Kirk’s body lay in state, there will be those who react strongly, if sometimes tactlessly, to these actions. — Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactlessly

Adverb

In your case, the truth is that this friend has been ruthlessly — and rudely — taking advantage of your good nature.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Ritter has disciplined Menapace after the lawmaker acted rudely or abusively to a committee clerk.

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026

Definition of rudely

Adverb

Léo’s tenderly nostalgic reminiscences of past love affairs are slapped down by Emma, who brusquely dismisses his pleasant recollections as mere male projection.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Yet, White House officials told me, Biden sometimes brusquely dismissed the views of both men, raising his voice as though berating children.

— David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Definition of brusquely

Adverb

In an interview this week, Burnham stated bluntly that Brexit has brought far more negative consequences to the United Kingdom than benefits, explicitly noting that the UK does not rule out rejoining the European Union in the future.

— , CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Drew Holler, chief human resources officer at $19 billion homebuilder Lennar, put it bluntly.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of bluntly

Adverb

The bombers were moved abruptly in response to multiple streams of intelligence warnings, including a threat that the aircraft could be hit in a swarm drone attack similar to one Ukraine launched against Russia in June 2025.

— Steve Hendrix, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Cookie lovers searching the streets of New York City for a certain particularly gooey, thick and chewy dessert were left with crumbs this weekend after a local cookie chain abruptly shut its doors.

— New York Times, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of abruptly

Adverb

Juliette later makes a stop to see Shirley, who is still being unreasonably pouty about her amnesiac friend not remembering her — and is, again, curtly dismissive of Juliette’s search for Lukas.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 July 2026
But Ruben curtly responds that the only real homophobe is Niall himself.

— Barry Levitt, Time, 29 May 2026

Definition of curtly

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“Tactlessly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactlessly. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tactlessly

adverb

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