infelicity

Ill-chosen phrase

Infelicity is an unhappy turn of phrase—a word choice or expression that strikes the ear as awkward, inappropriate, or ill-suited to the context: The speech was marred by several infelicities.

More broadly, it can mean any instance of being inapt or unfortunate: the infelicity of his timing.

The word carries a mild, almost literary tone of criticism.

rhetorical

malapropism

Sound-alike word confusion

solecismGrammatical or social blunder
cacophonyHarsh, clashing sounds
ineleganceLack of polish

awkwardness · clumsiness · stilted · graceless · inept · unpolished · artless · ungainly · ham-handed · clunky

impropriety

inappropriateness

Lack of suitability

unsuitabilityNot right for purpose
unseemlinessInappropriate or improper quality
indelicacyWant of propriety

indecorum · unfitness · incongruity · unbecomingness · tactlessness · breach · transgression · misjudgment · bad form · poor taste

gaffe

blunder

Foolish, costly mistake

faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
slipMinor error or misstep
misstepError in action or judgment

blooper · flub · botch · bungle · clanger · indiscretion · goof · slip-up · howler · mistake

misfortune

unhappiness

Emotional distress or woe

wretchednessExtreme unhappiness or distress
unluckinessPersistent bad fortune
ill-fortunePersistent bad luck

bad luck · adversity · hardship · misadventure · woe · affliction · tribulation · sorrow · misery · distress

infelicity

malapropism

inappropriateness

blunder

unhappiness

infelicity

Opposites

Categories

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