infelicitous

Examples

• All

• It would cost at least $10 billion and take several years to complete, but in the infelicitous words of our time, New York is simply too big and too important to fail.

  Blog text (11)

• Self-seeking, too, is an infelicitous but corrigible consequence of civilizational progress, in this case of material improvement.

  Academic text (2016)

• But she could still point a finger at an offensive paragraph, an infelicitous expression.

  Fiction book (1997)

• The comparison with "A Modest Proposal" is infelicitous.

  Blog text (3)

• There was a collective sharp intake of breath at Ted's infelicitous choice of words.

  Fiction book (1993)

• "Such a title seemed remarkably infelicitous in the one slate where the state board of education had recently downgraded the teaching of evolution.

  Academic text (2006)

• Conformity is an infelicitous side effect of the "gradual narrowing of bounds of diversity of opinion" that results from civilization's progress in settling controversies over truth.

  Academic text (2016)

• Her infelicitous comment during the meeting made everyone uncomfortable.

• The film's infelicitous handling of sensitive topics led to widespread criticism.

Synonyms

I

inappropriate

vsinfelicitous

354 3.7

Not right for a situation or event

adds awkwardness rather than only unsuitability

A

awkward

vsinfelicitous

61 3.3

Difficult or inconvenient, often causing embarrassment

focuses on being unsuitable for the situation rather than just difficult

U

unseemly

vsinfelicitous

33 7.8

Not proper or polite for a situation

is about unsuitability without the moral or indecent connotation

U

unbecoming

vsinfelicitous

• Formal

15 6.7

Not suitable for a situation or for what people expect

is more about general unsuitability and often causes awkwardness

I

incongruous

vsinfelicitous

14 7.4

Not fitting with the things around it and looking strange

is about general unsuitability rather than only style mismatch

I

indecorous

vsinfelicitous

• Formal

1 9.2

Not showing good manners in public or formal places

is broader, covering unsuitability beyond mere manners or taste

I

inapposite

vsinfelicitous

1 9.9

Not suitable for a situation and therefore not important to the topic

is felt as awkward or upsetting rather than merely out of place

I

inexpedient

vsinfelicitous

• Formal

1 9.1

Not a good idea when it is risky or will not work

relates to being socially or emotionally awkward rather than impractical

U

unbefitting

vsinfelicitous

• Formal

7.2

Not suitable for a person or situation

brings awkwardness or unhappiness beyond simple unsuitability

Antonyms

F

felicitous

• Formal

1 7.9

Well chosen and pleasant for the situation

How Appropriate

crass

• Offensive

31 7.0

inappropriate

354 3.7

infelicitous

• Formal

1 9.1

awkward

61 3.3

appropriate

962 3.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology