Definition of indelicatenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective indelicate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of indelicate are improper, indecorous, unbecoming, and unseemly. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

When might improper be a better fit than indelicate?

The meanings of improper and indelicate largely overlap; however, improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method.

improper use of campaign contributions

When can indecorous be used instead of indelicate?

In some situations, the words indecorous and indelicate are roughly equivalent. However, indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

In what contexts can unbecoming take the place of indelicate?

While the synonyms unbecoming and indelicate are close in meaning, unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

When is it sensible to use unseemly instead of indelicate?

The words unseemly and indelicate can be used in similar contexts, but unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

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 indelicate His view toward law could be summarized in his indelicate three-word exhortation to his fellow prisoners at Nuremberg to show no remorse for crime and no respect for law. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025 If any lawsuit ends up in court, a judge or jury will have to decide if an indelicate social media posting is worth more than $500,000 for the bereaved of Sade Robinson. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025 The phrasing was indelicate, but the idea that Canada lacks a cohesive identity is not a novel proposition. Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025 Advertisement The president-elect’s style — brash, indelicate and pugilistic — is distilled in his son. Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for indelicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indelicate
Adjective
  • Murdaugh’s attorneys appealed the convictions, saying the trial was tainted by the county clerk Becky Hill’s inappropriate comments to jurors implying his guilt.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
  • Live streams and other unfiltered media can expose kids to risky or inappropriate content, so adult guidance is key.
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • While the expiration of the enhanced ACA subsidies at the end of 2025 made insurance more expensive for millions of consumers, the HHS assistant secretary for planning and evaluation report cited efforts to crack down on improper signups.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • The agency is also asking visitors to the World Cup game or Fan Fest to report any unsafe or improper drone use to the FBI tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
    Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Smaller seats, less legroom, meals on a budget, and now someone whispering indiscreet sweet nothings to their lover in my ear.
    Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026
  • The most successful and lucrative family vlogs are indiscreet almost by definition—and yet the wrong kind of indiscretion can derail the whole gravy train.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Your tactless or tactile uncles?
    Taiye Selasi, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
  • This is the same Trump, after all, whose reaction to the shocking murder of beloved actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele was selfish and tactless, even for him.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • And again, many of the reforms backfired or proved injudicious, but some of them remain powerful to this day.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
  • These injudicious, blunt-force tariffs do get undone almost as quickly as they are slapped on, thank heavens.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Additional charges included negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
    Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
  • To be fair, those imprudent claims were made without the benefit of seeing this evidence.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Most The business owners who get burned in an exit are almost never careless.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Still, multitasking can lead to careless errors, irritability or burnout, so take it easy.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Eating an entire bag in one sitting is inadvisable for nearly everyone.
    Ryan Brennan June 5, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2026
  • The frame was actually lifted, so that the piping from the turbo to the engine could be technically feasible, even if inadvisable in real life.
    Adam Ismail, The Drive, 19 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indelicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indelicate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on indelicate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster