as in clumsy
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands
she's far too handless to be good at needlework
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Recent Examples of handless
Twenty-five years after authorities discovered a headless and handless man in a Michigan cornfield, arrests have been made in connection to the grisly murder.
—
Tristan Balagtas, Peoplemag, 26 Jan. 2023
Two brothers were arrested this week on murder charges in connection to a 1997 Michigan cold case in which a man's headless and handless body was found in a cornfield, authorities said.
—Erin Pflaumer, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2023
When asked what doctors and nurses on the front lines at Cincinnati Children's Hospital needed to keep the hospital cleaner, the answer was quick: handless door hooks.
—James Weber, Cincinnati.com, 7 Apr. 2020
Join us on deck for games such as handless doughnut eating, deadeye bowling and cauldron tossing.
—Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2017
Tristan Balagtas, Peoplemag, 26 Jan. 2023
Two brothers were arrested this week on murder charges in connection to a 1997 Michigan cold case in which a man's headless and handless body was found in a cornfield, authorities said.
—Erin Pflaumer, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2023
When asked what doctors and nurses on the front lines at Cincinnati Children's Hospital needed to keep the hospital cleaner, the answer was quick: handless door hooks.
—James Weber, Cincinnati.com, 7 Apr. 2020
Join us on deck for games such as handless doughnut eating, deadeye bowling and cauldron tossing.
—Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handless
Adjective
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But less fine is Kreutzer’s decision to make Kühn’s own domestic challenges a parallel story, set up in clumsy counterpoint with Lucy’s.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
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Salmonflies, however, are bigger and clumsier than smaller insects like mayflies.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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After her death, Riley read her diaries, an awkward experience at times.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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On-screen, Armitage’s portrayal of the socially awkward Sheldon has earned him critical acclaim.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handless. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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