maladroit
Lacking bodily grace
Maladroit means clumsy or awkward, whether physically or socially.
A maladroit waiter spills drinks; a maladroit politician stumbles through interviews.
The word often describes tactless handling of delicate situations: His maladroit attempt at an apology only made things worse.
The opposite of adroit.
Lacking tact or finesse
- impoliticUnwise in circumstances
- gaucheSocially awkward, unrefined
- indelicateLacking refinement or tact
- indiscreetLacking prudent restraint
insensitive · inconsiderate · graceless · inelegant · tone-deaf · ham-fisted · heavy-handed · blundering
Clumsy, uncoordinated handling
- bumblingClumsily incompetent
- uncoordinatedLacking physical grace
- lumberingMoving heavily and awkwardly
- ungainlyLacking ease of movement
gawky · oafish · ham-handed · butterfingers · klutz · stumbling · tripping · dropping
Lacking skill or competence
- ineffectualFailing to achieve purpose
- incapableLacking requisite ability
- unqualifiedLacking required credentials
- unproficientLacking skill or ability
amateurish · unskilled · unpracticed · unpolished · inexpert · hopeless · useless · hapless
undiplomatic
Lacking tact or finesse
- impoliticUnwise in circumstances
- gaucheSocially awkward, unrefined
- indelicateLacking refinement or tact
indiscreet · insensitive · inconsiderate · graceless · inelegant · tone-deaf · ham-fisted · heavy-handed · blundering · thoughtless
fumbling
Clumsy, uncoordinated handling
- bumblingClumsily incompetent
- uncoordinatedLacking physical grace
- lumberingMoving heavily and awkwardly
ungainly · gawky · oafish · ham-handed · butterfingers · klutz · stumbling · tripping · dropping · graceless
inept
Lacking skill or competence
- ineffectualFailing to achieve purpose
- incapableLacking requisite ability
- unqualifiedLacking required credentials
unproficient · amateurish · unskilled · unpracticed · unpolished · inexpert · hopeless · useless · hapless · feckless
botched
Poorly executed, spoiled
- mishandledManaged incompetently
- botchSpoil through incompetence
- fumbledHandled awkwardly, dropped
fiasco · debacle · mismanaged · muddled · bungle · gaffe · snafu · blunder · misstep · foul-up
- clumsyclumsy, awkward, bumbling, bungling, fumbling
- dexteritydexterous, nimble, agile, deft, nimbleness
- clumsy peopleklutz, clumsy, bumbling, butterfingers, bungler
- embarrassmentembarrassed, blush, humiliated, mortify, mortified
- shortcomingsdeficient, inadequate, lacking, inferior, subpar