as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
an ungraceful but well-meaning hostess
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Recent Examples of ungraceful
For his part, Harman chooses allegiance to sentences so ungraceful that Kafka, as Coetzee suggests, might have written them in his sleep.
—
Joy Williams, Harper's Magazine, 2 May 2024
Is there an ungraceful way to age?
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 23 June 2022
Occasionally, the dialogue is ungraceful in connecting the lines between past and present.
—Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2022
Extra cuddles for the extremely ungraceful Flounder.
—Brenna Murphy, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2021
At best, President Donald Trump's exit from the White House is ungraceful.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Nov. 2020
Next spring will mark six years since Northland mall in Southfield closed for good after a long and ungraceful decline.
—Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2020
Given that much time and his history of health, Cano could’ve endured even a fairly ungraceful decline and reached 3,000 hits and 400 home runs and shoo-in Hall of Fame status by his age-40 season when his deal runs up.
—Ted Berg, For The Win, 15 May 2018
Babcock launched himself in the crowd and immediately numerous audience members—including yours truly—took an ungraceful tumble.
—Efrain Dorado, RedEye Chicago, 7 Aug. 2017
Joy Williams, Harper's Magazine, 2 May 2024
Is there an ungraceful way to age?
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 23 June 2022
Occasionally, the dialogue is ungraceful in connecting the lines between past and present.
—Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2022
Extra cuddles for the extremely ungraceful Flounder.
—Brenna Murphy, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2021
At best, President Donald Trump's exit from the White House is ungraceful.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Nov. 2020
Next spring will mark six years since Northland mall in Southfield closed for good after a long and ungraceful decline.
—Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2020
Given that much time and his history of health, Cano could’ve endured even a fairly ungraceful decline and reached 3,000 hits and 400 home runs and shoo-in Hall of Fame status by his age-40 season when his deal runs up.
—Ted Berg, For The Win, 15 May 2018
Babcock launched himself in the crowd and immediately numerous audience members—including yours truly—took an ungraceful tumble.
—Efrain Dorado, RedEye Chicago, 7 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungraceful
Adjective
-
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Anat Joseph agreed, noting that gestures like sending scented clothing blur platonic boundaries and can understandably make a partner uncomfortable.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
However, forecasters note that the relative humidity at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar will be an uncomfortable 85 percent Saturday and 82 percent Sunday.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Threading that narrative in there, and getting all the clumsy beats and the awkward beats, felt like a continuation of the narrative.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
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Well accustomed to the bumps and bruises that come with playing defense at a high level, Thomas can look back with some humor at one of the ankle injuries, which was due to a clumsy play.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In July, a Coldplay concert jumbotron captured an awkward moment after panning to an embracing couple, who promptly unlocked arms and tried to dodge the camera.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
According to Fightful, Holland had an awkward landing during his match.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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All that should have spelled relief to H-1B workers and their corporate sponsors, but Xiao Wang, chief executive of the immigration services firm Boundless Immigration, said the lack of detail left many unanswered questions – and his clients uneasy.—
Dian Zhang,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
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If uneasy, history may provide equal insights with economics.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ungraceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungraceful. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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