ham-handed

[ ham-han-did ]

adjective

1. clumsy, inept, or heavy-handed:

   a ham-handed approach to dealing with people that hurts a lot of feelings.

Other Words From

• hamhanded·ness especially British, hamfisted·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ham-handed¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Musk’s ham-handed scheme is designed to induce new registrations of voters who are likely to vote for Trump while appearing to comply with the law.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think there were much better ways for the Legislature to go about addressing their concerns, rather than this ham-handed approach.”

From Seattle Times

If the TMZ Selfie Tour could help me look like even slightly less than a ham-handed buffoon in pictures of my own taking it would be worth the price.

From Los Angeles Times

Other Republicans insist Mr. Trump’s polarizing rhetoric and ham-handed endorsements are to blame for the party’s struggles at the ballot box.

From Washington Times

Still, gun control advocates had criticized the law as ham-handed and unlikely to be used by families who don’t want to traumatize a loved one by having them taken into custody.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bulky
• heavy-handed
• inept
• ponderous
• ungainly
• unwieldy