indelicate

Examples

• All

• His indelicate comments about her outfit made everyone uncomfortable.

• A gentleman would not dream of embarrassing a lady by using such indelicate expressions in her hearing.

  Fiction book (1990)

• It's honest, but it's indelicate and it's almost mean, right?

  Lex Fridman

• I think it very indelicate of you... to refer to such a subject on such a day.

  The Mikado (1939)

• Is it indelicate to ask what's going on?

  Blind Date (1987)

• Now I don't mean to be indelicate, but...

  Arbitrage (2012)

• I hate to be indelicate, but Henrik promised me something -

  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

• You were indelicate, indiscreet, and entirely less than tactful.

  Fiction book (1997)

• It was loyalty that led me to overlook his indelicate remarks and speak in a voice of my own.

  Fiction book (1994)

• Not to be indelicate, but I had digestive rumblings that I knew were the early symptoms, and orphans did not fare well in those days.

  Vamps (2012)

Synonyms

C

crude

vsindelicate

• Offensive

45 5.1

Being rude and offensive, often about sex

is slightly more about poor taste than outright rudeness

I

indecent

vsindelicate

• NSFW

43 6.7

Not acceptable in public because it is offensive or sexual

is milder and less sexually offensive than that term

U

unseemly

vsindelicate

33 7.8

Not proper or polite for a situation

is coarser and shows a stronger lack of good taste

O

obscene

vsindelicate

• Offensive

33 6.2

Sexually rude and offensive to many people

is milder and less sexually explicit than that term

O

objectionable

vsindelicate

31 6.7

Causing people to feel offended or want to protest

is more about poor taste and lack of sensitivity than general offence

D

distasteful

vsindelicate

30 4.6

Something that makes people feel dislike or disgust

is more about lacking propriety and sensitivity than mere unpleasantness

U

unsavory

vsindelicate

• US

29 7.2

Something people think is morally wrong or dishonest

is less about moral wrongness and more about tasteless coarseness

V

vulgar

vsindelicate

• Offensive

22 6.5

Being rude and indecent in words or behaviour

is less loudly tasteless and less openly coarse than this

I

impolite

vsindelicate

21 2.3

Not showing good manners or respect to other people

is about coarser lack of taste and sensitivity not mere rudeness

O

offensive

vsindelicate

15 5.3

Having a bad smell or taste that bothers you

is focused on poor taste and lack of refinement rather than general unpleasantness

I

impudent

vsindelicate

9 7.9

Someone who shows no respect by acting or speaking boldly

is more about poor taste than bold disrespect or impudence

I

indiscreet

vsindelicate

8 7.0

Not careful about what you say or do, revealing private facts and causing embarrassment

is about coarseness of taste rather than careless speech or secrecy

O

off-color

vsindelicate

• Offensive

7 7.7

Slightly rude or indecent in a way meant to be funny

is broader and can cover general lack of propriety beyond jokes

I

inelegant

vsindelicate

5 4.9

Not graceful or pleasing in style

is rougher and suggests poor taste rather than just plain style

U

unsubtle

vsindelicate

2 4.6

Showing ideas or feelings in a very obvious, not gentle way

is more about tastelessness than mere bluntness or obviousness

I

indecorous

vsindelicate

• Formal

1 9.2

Not showing good manners in public or formal places

is rougher and more coarse in taste than mere bad manners

D

disgustful

vsindelicate

6.7

Causing a strong feeling of dislike or making people feel sick

is milder showing poor taste rather than extreme repulsion

Antonyms

D

delicate

105 3.9

Needing great care or skill

How Indelicate

indecent

• NSFW

43 6.7

coarse

• Offensive

14 4.2

indelicate

7 7.1

tactless

5 4.9

improper

100 4.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology