INDELICATE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'indelicate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of indelicate are improper , indecorous , unbecoming , and unseemly . While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling. // indelicate expressions for bodily functions

Q: When might 'improper' be a better fit than 'indelicate'?

The meanings of improper and indelicate largely overlap; however, improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method. // improper use of campaign contributions

Q: When can 'indecorous' be used instead of 'indelicate'?

In some situations, the words indecorous and indelicate are roughly equivalent. However, indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners. // indecorous behavior

Q: In what contexts can 'unbecoming' take the place of 'indelicate'?

While the synonyms unbecoming and indelicate are close in meaning, unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status. // conduct unbecoming to an officer

Q: When is it sensible to use 'unseemly' instead of 'indelicate'?

The words unseemly and indelicate can be used in similar contexts, but unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste. // remarried with unseemly haste

indelicate

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈde-li-kət

Definition of indelicate next

as in inappropriate

showing poor judgment especially in personal relationships or social situations the company considered his indelicate handling of such a personal matter to be unprofessional

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How does the adjective indelicate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of indelicate are improper, indecorous, unbecoming, and unseemly. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

When might improper be a better fit than indelicate?

The meanings of improper and indelicate largely overlap; however, improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method.

improper use of campaign contributions

When can indecorous be used instead of indelicate?

In some situations, the words indecorous and indelicate are roughly equivalent. However, indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

In what contexts can unbecoming take the place of indelicate?

While the synonyms unbecoming and indelicate are close in meaning, unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

When is it sensible to use unseemly instead of indelicate?

The words unseemly and indelicate can be used in similar contexts, but unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of indelicate These nude illusions always look underwhelming, the shapes are indelicate, and the roots don’t blend with the geometric element. —

Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024 Fisher, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes to be $3 billion, is the quintessential member of the Lucky Sperm Club, not to be indelicate. —

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024 All this may well be intended as tongue-in-cheek by the script, but Lynch’s indelicate handling arrives at something more subjugated by heavy-breathing clichés than ironically playful towards them. —

Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 Oct. 2023 If that’s indelicate, sorry. —

Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for indelicate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for indelicate

Adjective

Louden does and says things that are inappropriate in the film.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
Sánchez's bold look sent the internet into a frenzy, with many people feeling the attire was inappropriate for the occasion.

— Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025