maladroit

American  

[mal-uh-droit] / ˌmæl əˈdrɔɪt /

adjective

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

   to handle a diplomatic crisis in a very maladroit way.

   Synonyms:

   gauche, inept, clumsy

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maladroit British  

/ ˌmæləˈdrɔɪt /

adjective

1. showing or characterized by clumsiness; not dexterous

2. tactless and insensitive in behaviour or speech

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Other Word Forms

• maladroitly adverb
• maladroitness noun

Etymology

Origin of maladroit

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

Example Sentences

You may need a microscope to see it in this maladroit production, but you hear it wonderfully.

From Los Angeles Times

The original's famously maladroit "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield," with its adversaries whose faces were painted white and black on opposite sides, is kindly remembered as well-intentioned and poorly executed.

From Salon

It’s “Groundhog Day” in Denver with the Broncos’ maladroit offense unable to score and its stellar defense incapable of closing out opponents.

From Seattle Times

If Ms. Skinner’s defiant testimony was an attempt at damage control by Hockey Canada, it was an exceptionally maladroit effort.

From New York Times

It may be tempting to point the finger at Gannett as especially maladroit at dealing with the economic and social changes that have forced the entire news industry into a painful retrenchment.

From Los Angeles Times