ungraceful

adjective

ˌən-ˈgrās-fəl How to pronounce ungraceful (audio)
Definition of ungracefulnext
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance an ungraceful but well-meaning hostess

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 ungraceful Is there an ungraceful way to age? — Lydia Price, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025 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 Occasionally, the dialogue is ungraceful in connecting the lines between past and present. — Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2022 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
  1. uncomfortable
  2. clumsy
  3. awkward
  4. uneasy
Adjective
  • The quarterback Mike Macdonald has earned his paychecks from making quarterbacks uncomfortable.
    — Sam McDowell October 25, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Probably not enough to win, but enough to make laying nearly a touchdown uncomfortable.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncomfortable
Adjective
  • As Ivan and Nina wrestle with their own emotional truths, which range from her mother Nora’s departure from their lives to Ivan’s clumsy recitations of Nina’s childhood antics, something alarming is afoot.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Here, his clumsy, winky, affected, and self-undercutting direction can’t even work the charming Jenna Ortega to a great performance, as her Klara is flattened into a bundle of manic pixie mannerisms both physical and verbal.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • Trump’s local appearances might present an awkward situation for some candidates who have sought to distance themselves from the president.
    — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In Sam’s case, his roaring egotism is somewhat awkward because he’s also obsessed with the idea of being altruistic.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of awkward
Adjective
  • But bond markets are already uneasy with Brazil's growing debt-to-GDP ratio, and are likely to demand an ever-higher premium if public spending rises significantly.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The effort is backed by an uneasy alliance between the right-wing Make America Healthy Again movement and progressives, both motivated by concerns over food safety.
    — Elijah Wolfson, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of uneasy

Browse Nearby Words

ungovernable
ungraceful
ungracefully
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Cite this Entry

“Ungraceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungraceful. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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