maladroitly
- adverb
- /ˌmæl.əˈdrɔɪt.li/
- He tried to fix the car maladroitly, making the problem even worse.
Examples
-
She danced maladroitly at the party, stumbling over her own feet.
-
Bernzy climbs a six-foot wall, legs waving maladroitly.
Fiction book (1992) -
The kitten approached the toy maladroitly, pouncing and missing several times.
Synonyms
In a clumsy or uncomfortable way, often showing nervousness around other people
In an awkward way that shows little skill or control
In a clumsy way that shows little skill
In a clumsy way that is not graceful
In a clumsy way, especially when moving or singing
In an awkward or clumsy way
In an awkward, clumsy way that is not smooth
Move or speak in an awkward, unsteady way as if about to fall
In a clumsy way that does not suit the situation
In a clumsy, hesitant way when someone moves or speaks
In a clumsy way that shows little ability
In a clumsy, careless way that often causes mistakes
In a heavy, clumsy way that makes movement feel awkward
With sudden, unsteady movements that make you lose balance
In an awkward or wrong way that causes trouble
In a rude, awkward way that shows little politeness
In a clumsy or awkward way
Antonyms
How Clumsy
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Maladroitly comes from French parts mal- 'bad' and adroit 'skillful', and the adroit part originally meant 'to the right', like English right. So to act maladroitly is to act 'badly' or without skill, which is why it means 'in a clumsy or awkward way'.