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inelegantly

inelegantly

1 5.5
In a clumsy way that is not graceful
  • adverb
  • /ˌɪnˈɛlɪɡəntli/
translation icon : inelegantemente
  • The dancer tripped and fell inelegantly during the performance, drawing gasps from the audience.
  • inelegantly referred

So in the context of what Max is talking about, I mean, first of all, to segue into him inelegantly.

Examples

  • And Mary is correct, although her words are inelegantly expressed: how come we never hear the open borders crowd agitating for the "benefits" of a mass immigration free-for-all for China, India, Africa, and South America?

    Blog text (1)
  • The census of 1960 showed that persons of European origin, "non-Hispanic whites" as the census now inelegantly dubs them, made up three-quarters of the city.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Here, to extend the metaphor somewhat inelegantly, is a pot of gold at the very end of the pot of gold.

    Academic text (2001)
  • I had characters with awful builds stumbling through content inelegantly.

    Blog text (9)
  • Inelegantly phrased, Mr. Ravello, but accurately put.

  • Mr. Romney first attempted to step away from his comments not only by saying that they were inelegantly stated but that they were "off the cuff."

    Blog text (30)
  • Both sides are busily spinning the remarks, with the Romney campaign conceding that they were "inelegantly stated," but standing behind the basic message.

    Blog text (14)
  • The night the video was released, Romney ducked out of another fundraiser to hold a quick press conference in which he said his off-the-cuff remarks were "inelegantly stated" but were pretty much how he feels.

    Blog text (7)
  • The loose ends were inelegantly shoved down your throat rather than dangled like a tasty, juicy morsel, weren't they?

    Blog text (20)
  • She had signed him up for lessons, bought him tap shoes, and for the next two months, until his interest waned, instead of walking, he had inelegantly tapped everywhere, especially favoring the tiled bathroom floor.

    Fiction book (1995)

Synonyms

awkwardly
vsinelegantly
38 2.7

In a clumsy or uncomfortable way, often showing nervousness around other people

is about absence of elegance rather than social unease
ungraciously
vsinelegantly
1 7.1

In a rude or unfriendly way

concerns lack of elegance rather than impoliteness
unattractively
vsinelegantly
1 4.2

In a way that looks plain or unpleasant to others

refers to lack of elegance, not only unattractive looks
tastelessly
vsinelegantly
1 6.7

In a way that shows bad taste or poor style

describes absence of elegance rather than moral poor taste
unfashionably
vsinelegantly
1 5.6

In a way that does not follow current styles

is about absence of elegance rather than being out of date
ungracefully
vsinelegantly
1 4.8

In an awkward, clumsy way that is not smooth

is a broad absence of elegance rather than emphasizing clumsiness
gracelessly
vsinelegantly
1 6.5

In an awkward or clumsy way

is the general absence of elegance rather than only movement problems
unflatteringly
vsinelegantly
1 6.8

In a way that makes someone or something look bad

is about lacking elegance rather than making appearance worse
unbecomingly
vsinelegantly
  • Formal
1 8.1

In a way that is not proper or suitable for the situation

focuses on lack of elegance rather than mere impropriety
inaptly
vsinelegantly
  • Formal
1 6.9

In a clumsy way that does not suit the situation

is about absence of elegance rather than mere unsuitability
unartfully
vsinelegantly
8.7

In a clumsy way that shows poor skill

is about lacking elegance rather than lack of artistic skill
cloddishly
vsinelegantly
  • Informal
9.1

In a clumsy or awkward way

focuses on lack of elegance rather than plain dullness
uncouthly
vsinelegantly
8.8

In a rude, awkward way that shows little politeness

describes absence of elegance rather than coarse rudeness
ineloquently
vsinelegantly
7.2

Speaking in a clumsy, unclear way that makes your meaning hard to understand

refers to lack of elegance beyond just speech quality
unskillfully
vsinelegantly
4.0

In a clumsy way that shows little ability

is about lacking elegance rather than mere unskillfulness
unappealingly
vsinelegantly
6.1

In a way that looks unattractive or unpleasant

focuses on absence of elegance rather than simple displeasure
frumpishly
vsinelegantly
  • Informal
9.9

In an old-fashioned way that looks untidy

is a general lack of elegance not limited to clothing
frumpily
vsinelegantly
  • Informal
8.8

To dress or act in an old-fashioned, untidy way

is broader lack of elegance rather than only old-fashioned dress
unstylishly
vsinelegantly
4.2

In a way that does not look fashionable

concerns lack of elegance rather than mere lack of style
infelicitously
vsinelegantly
  • Formal
9.9

In an awkward or wrong way that causes trouble

is about lacking elegance rather than being merely inappropriate

Antonyms

56 2.8

In a smooth and beautiful way that looks controlled

22 3.9

In a graceful and stylish way

How Elegant

elegantly
22 3.9
plainly
2 1.8
inelegantly
1 5.5
clumsily
12 2.8

Surface Forms

inelegantly positive

Morphology

inelegantly = inelegant (transparent) = in + elegant + ly

This is a regular adverb formation from the adjective 'inelegant', meaning 'in an inelegant manner'.

Etymology

The word inelegantly is made from the prefix in- meaning 'not' and elegant, which means 'graceful' or stylish. So inelegantly describes doing something 'in a clumsy or not graceful way'.