MALADROIT Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'maladroit' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of maladroit are awkward , clumsy , gauche , and inept . While all these words mean "not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct)," maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations. // a maladroit politician

Q: When might 'awkward' be a better fit than 'maladroit'?

The meanings of awkward and maladroit largely overlap; however, awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact. // periods of awkward silence

Q: When would 'clumsy' be a good substitute for 'maladroit'?

While the synonyms clumsy and maladroit are close in meaning, clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill. // a clumsy mechanic

Q: When is 'gauche' a more appropriate choice than 'maladroit'?

In some situations, the words gauche and maladroit are roughly equivalent. However, gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding. // felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

Q: Where would 'inept' be a reasonable alternative to 'maladroit'?

The synonyms inept and maladroit are sometimes interchangeable, but inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy. // a hopelessly inept defense attorney

maladroit

adjective

ˌma-lə-ˈdrȯit

Definition of maladroit

as in clumsy

lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands some maladroit steering on her part caused the bicycle to go crashing into the bushes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in awkward

showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation) the socially maladroit young man often has a difficult time meeting new people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective maladroit contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of maladroit are awkward, clumsy, gauche, and inept. While all these words mean "not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct)," maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations.

a maladroit politician

When might awkward be a better fit than maladroit?

The meanings of awkward and maladroit largely overlap; however, awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact.

periods of awkward silence

When would clumsy be a good substitute for maladroit?

While the synonyms clumsy and maladroit are close in meaning, clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

a clumsy mechanic

When is gauche a more appropriate choice than maladroit?

In some situations, the words gauche and maladroit are roughly equivalent. However, gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

Where would inept be a reasonable alternative to maladroit?

The synonyms inept and maladroit are sometimes interchangeable, but inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

a hopelessly inept defense attorney

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 maladroit The series is itself like a socially awkward teen-age nerd—charming but maladroit, heedless, a little exhausting. — Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 10 May 2020 At her side is her maladroit cameraman Manu, (a winning turn from Jean-Baptiste Shelmerdine). — John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026 DeSantis tried to take his show on the road via a quest for the presidential nomination, but his culture warfare didn’t obscure his maladroit skills on the stump. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025 His own party criticizes what many call his maladroit communication on an anxiety-inducing subject. — Adam Nossiter, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2019 Factor in a politically maladroit Afghan government and endemic corruption, and once the Taliban began to roll up government surrenders in the provinces, their offensive took on a life of its own. — The Editors, National Review, 15 Aug. 2021 Michael Strassner, who co-wrote the film with Duplass, stars as Cliff, a physically maladroit, mildly depressive but sweet-natured man whose thick beard and portly bearing suggest Lord of the Rings-era Peter Jackson. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025 Every possible strategy that Senate Republicans might be following is maladroit to a degree one associates less with the Senate than with the House under Speaker Kevin McCarthy. — Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 30 Aug. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maladroit

Adjective

Such a feature would neatly get around the need for clumsy remote control sessions to interact with AI agents running on a distant Mac.

— Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
The head coach was clumsy in his response, saying — in effect — that the player is better suited to being an impact substitute and taking advantage of tiring opposition defenders.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Definition of clumsy

Adjective

Human bodies were like animals’ The few medical instruments of the revolutionary era were heavy in the hand, awkward in use and imprecise to maneuver.

— Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
In its place are itty-bitty bands that still keep your flats or heels in place, just with less of a chance of awkward tan lines.

— Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 1 July 2026

Definition of awkward

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“Maladroit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maladroit. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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