graceless

adjective

grace·​less ˈgrās-ləs 

1

: lacking in divine grace : immoral, unregenerate

2

a

: lacking a sense of propriety

a graceless accusation

b

: devoid of attractive qualities

3

: artistically inept or unbeautiful

graceless dancing

gracelessly adverb

gracelessness noun

Synonyms

• awkward
• butterfingered
• cack-handed [British]
• clumsy
• ham-fisted
• ham-handed
• handless
• heavy-handed
• left-handed
• maladroit
• unhandy

Examples of graceless in a Sentence

Her writing can be graceless and awkward at times.

a graceless person who was a butterfingered lout when it came to playing basketball

Recent Examples on the Web

And there’s no doubt that the graceless, smirking way she was treated in the media supports that. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024

All of this wreaks of elements of being a graceless loser in defeat. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 22 Sep. 2024

Trump’s remarks were monumentally graceless, showing again the emptiness of his character. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2024

Still, Trump should want her endorsement and should be trying to woo her — and those voters — instead of engaging in his typically graceless behavior. —The Editors, National Review, 6 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

graceless

adjective

grace·​less ˈgrā-sləs 

: having no grace, charm, or elegance

especially : showing lack of feeling for what is fitting

graceless behavior

gracelessly adverb

gracelessness noun