indelicately
1
6.5
- adverb
- /ˌɪnˈdɛlɪkətli/
:
indelicadamente
- He indelicately asked her why she hadn't gotten the promotion, causing her to blush.
- put it indelicately
Well, last week a scantily clad Japanese man covered himself rather indelicately with Mentos and jumped into his tiny Coke filled bathtub.
- Well, last week a scantily clad Japanese man covered himself rather indelicately with Mentos and jumped into his tiny Coke filled bathtub.
Examples
-
The comedian indelicately joked about sensitive topics, leaving the audience in an awkward silence.
-
The list is indelicately called the Death Master File.
Blog text (9) -
Don Hilarin suspected that the writer had spied his repaired shoes and was calling attention very indelicately to the fact.
Academic text (2007) -
"You don't look sick," he said, scratching indelicately at the sting left by his mother's slap.
Fiction book (2001) -
It may have been, as he said at the presser, "indelicately worded," but the gist of it is the truth.
Blog text (20) -
Almost every time "concubine" appears in Challoner's Old Testament, it is explained with the comment that they were "lawful wives of an inferior degree," or "not harlots," as he sometimes indelicately phrased it.
Academic text (2006) -
When she spoke indelicately about his recent loss, many in the room felt uncomfortable.
Synonyms
45
4.5
In a way that is not right for the situation
25
1.3
In a way that is not polite and shows no respect
15
4.5
In a rude or unpleasant way that upsets people
13
3.5
In a way that makes you feel embarrassed
1
6.7
In a way that others find rude or offensive
1
6.1
In a way that does not think about other people's feelings
1
6.5
Without thinking about other people's feelings
1
4.2
In a rude way that shows little respect for others
1
7.1
In a rude or unfriendly way
1
5.9
In a very obvious, blunt way that leaves nothing hidden
1
8.1
In a way that is not proper or suitable for the situation
1
6.9
In a clumsy way that does not suit the situation
1
6.7
In a way that shows dislike or makes people feel disgusted
1
7.8
In a very strong and unpleasant way that is easy to notice
In a way that is not careful about other people's feelings
In a way that many people find rude or offensive
In a harsh, rude way that upsets people when speaking or acting
In a way that shows bad manners
In an awkward or wrong way that causes trouble
In a rude, awkward way that shows little politeness
In a way that is not polite or helpful to others
In a way that is not careful about others' feelings in public matters
Antonyms
How Indelicate
Surface Forms
Morphology
indelicately = indelicate (transparent) = in + delicate + ly
This is a standard adverb formation from the adjective 'indelicate', meaning 'in an indelicate way'.
Etymology
Indelicately is built from the part in- meaning 'not' and the word delicate, which means 'tender' or 'sensitive'. So to do something indelicately is to act 'not sensitive' or without care, which can embarrass or offend others.