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artlessly

artlessly

7.4
In a clumsy way that shows little skill
  • adverb
  • /ˈɑrtləsli/
translation icon : torpemente
  • It was a poor article, executed artlessly, and its failures are yours, not the readers'.

Examples

  • He danced artlessly at the party, moving to the music without any training or grace.

  • The artist painted the landscape artlessly, capturing the beauty without any technical skills.

  • Despite her lack of experience, she spoke artlessly, expressing her genuine thoughts.

Synonyms

crudely
vsartlessly
13 4.8

In a rough, unskilled, and often rude way

stresses lack of skill combined with coarse or unsophisticated style
ineptly
vsartlessly
1 5.5

In a clumsy way that shows little skill

is less about clumsiness and more about crude lack of finesse
inexpertly
vsartlessly
1 6.6

In a way that shows little skill or experience

focuses more on crude or unsophisticated manner rather than experience
inelegantly
vsartlessly
1 5.5

In a clumsy way that is not graceful

is rougher and implies missing skill or polish beyond mere elegance
amateurishly
vsartlessly
1 6.5

In a way that shows little skill or experience

implies crudeness or no finesse beyond simply being unprofessional
ungracefully
vsartlessly
1 4.8

In an awkward, clumsy way that is not smooth

leans more toward crude unskillfulness rather than only awkward motion
gracelessly
vsartlessly
1 6.5

In an awkward or clumsy way

is harsher, suggesting rude or unsophisticated conduct not just awkwardness
unartfully
vsartlessly
8.7

In a clumsy way that shows poor skill

is cruder and more generally unskilled rather than only lacking artistry
unskillfully
vsartlessly
4.0

In a clumsy way that shows little ability

is broader and includes roughness or lack of polish as well

Antonyms

22 3.2

To do something very well because you have practice and control

How Skillful

ineptly
1 5.5
artlessly
7.4
awkwardly
38 2.7
clumsily
12 2.8

Surface Forms

artlessly positive

Morphology

artlessly = artless (transparent) = art + less + ly

The meaning 'crude, unskilled' follows directly from 'art' + '-less' (without skill) plus the adverbial '-ly'.

Etymology

The word artlessly can also mean 'in an unskilled or rough way'; it comes from artless ('without art') where art means 'skill', like in artist. So something done artlessly is done without skill or polish.