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View synonyms for maladroit

maladroit

[ mal-uh-droit ]

adjective

  1. lacking in adroitness; unskillful; awkward; bungling; tactless:

    to handle a diplomatic crisis in a very maladroit way.

    Synonyms: gauche, inept, clumsy



maladroit

/ ˌmæləˈdrɔɪt /

adjective

  1. showing or characterized by clumsiness; not dexterous
  2. tactless and insensitive in behaviour or speech


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Derived Forms

  • ˌmalaˈdroitly, adverb
  • ˌmalaˈdroitness, noun

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Other Words From

  • mala·droitly adverb
  • mala·droitness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of maladroit1

First recorded in 1665–75; from French, Middle French: literally “clumsy”; mal-, adroit

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Word History and Origins

Origin of maladroit1

C17: from French, from mal badly + adroit

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Example Sentences

Mitt Romney has received much (deserved) criticism for his maladroit comments on the 9/11 embassy attacks.

Yes, both are rich, socially maladroit, and from Massachusetts.

At Trinity College at the University of Toronto, he was even more socially maladroit.

Truly people here are extraordinarily maladroit in spite of the French wit!

Pacing slowly in her dark garden, Enid Crofton's pulse quickened at the recollection of those maladroit, hungry kisses.

Might makes right, often enough in a maladroit fashion, but sometimes it comes as a real blessing.

They swarmed loud, uncouth about the temple, their heads thickplotting under maladroit silk hats.

That evening Camille drew Rose aside, and asked for an explanation of her "maladroit."

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