inelegant
adjective
in·el·e·gant (ˌ)i-ˈne-li-gənt 
: lacking in refinement, grace, or good taste
inelegantly adverb
Synonyms
- awkward
- clumsy
- gauche
- graceless
- rough-hewn
- rustic
- rustical
- stiff
- stilted
- uncomfortable
- uneasy
- ungraceful
- wooden
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
inelegant teens still learning how to act at formal events inelegant furniture that looked like it belonged in a budget motel
Recent Examples on the Web Data labeling has always been a kludgy, inelegant part of the modern machine learning pipeline. 
Rob Toews, Forbes, 12 June 2022 In true Russian tradition, the Kremlin is counting on firepower to compensate for its diminishing troop strength and inelegant command. David Axe, Forbes, 19 May 2022 Many were quick to call it inelegant, unsightly, and decidedly un-Apple. Yoni Heisler, BGR, 25 Mar. 2022 And to a boxing fan M.M.A. might seem inelegant: a mishmash that occasionally resembles a bar fight, with combatants trading haymakers and then collapsing onto the mat to roll around. Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2021 The tastiest meals are made with the best ingredients, but that doesn’t mean cooking has to be tedious or inelegant. Anthony Marcusa, chicagotribune.com, 16 Nov. 2021 Instead, the actor and fitness fanatic goes with an inelegant solution — peeing in a water bottle. Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, 12 Nov. 2021 There’s a lot of inelegant exposition and lots of buzzword dropping and exaggerated slang. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2021 Tomboyish, relatively inelegant and from limited means, Kate fails to roll with the school’s classist demands at first, routinely ranking at the bottom of her practice sessions. Tomris Laffly, Variety, 23 Sep. 2021 See More
Rob Toews, Forbes, 12 June 2022 In true Russian tradition, the Kremlin is counting on firepower to compensate for its diminishing troop strength and inelegant command. David Axe, Forbes, 19 May 2022 Many were quick to call it inelegant, unsightly, and decidedly un-Apple. Yoni Heisler, BGR, 25 Mar. 2022 And to a boxing fan M.M.A. might seem inelegant: a mishmash that occasionally resembles a bar fight, with combatants trading haymakers and then collapsing onto the mat to roll around. Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2021 The tastiest meals are made with the best ingredients, but that doesn’t mean cooking has to be tedious or inelegant. Anthony Marcusa, chicagotribune.com, 16 Nov. 2021 Instead, the actor and fitness fanatic goes with an inelegant solution — peeing in a water bottle. Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, 12 Nov. 2021 There’s a lot of inelegant exposition and lots of buzzword dropping and exaggerated slang. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2021 Tomboyish, relatively inelegant and from limited means, Kate fails to roll with the school’s classist demands at first, routinely ranking at the bottom of her practice sessions. Tomris Laffly, Variety, 23 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle French, from Latin inelegant-, inelegans, from in- + elegant-, elegans elegant
First Known Use
circa 1570, in the meaning defined above
inelegant
adjective
1
as in clumsy
lacking social grace and assurance inelegant teens still learning how to act at formal events Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- clumsy
- uncomfortable
- awkward
- uneasy
- ungraceful
- embarrassed
- gauche
- stilted
- graceless
- rustic
- wooden
- stiff
- ungainly
- timid
- upset
- angular
- flustered
- disturbed
- rough-hewn
- nervous
- gawky
- uncouth
- rustical
- meek
- boorish
- clownish
- lubberly
- unsettled
- agitated
- discomfited
- abashed
- diffident
- disconcerted
- discomforted
- modest
- nonplussed
- discomposed
- bothered
- perturbed
- distressed
- unassuming
- unhinged
- mortified
- unpretentious
- chagrined
- unassertive
- discountenanced
- insecure
- jumpy
- disquieted
- rattled
- dismayed
- fazed
- self-conscious
- jittery
- nonplused
- self-doubting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- graceful
- suave
- urbane
- composed
- confident
- cool
- serene
- collected
- undisturbed
- secure
- unperturbed
- placid
- calm
- tranquil
- poised
- assured
- self-possessed
- self-assured
- self-confident
2
as in inappropriate
marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste inelegant furniture that looked like it belonged in a budget motel Synonyms & Similar Words
- inappropriate
- unsuitable
- incorrect
- unfashionable
- tacky
- dowdy
- wrong
- tasteless
- trashy
- cheesy
- unseemly
- cheap
- unstylish
- styleless
- loud
- grotesque
- graceless
- outmoded
- ticky-tack
- crude
- ticky-tacky
- unbecoming
- coarse
- vulgar
- shoddy
- tawdry
- passé
- unrefined
- common
- gaudy
- showy
- ostentatious
- out-of-date
- flashy
- garish
- kitschy
- lousy
- junky
- sleazy
- inferior
- overdone
- glitzy
- splashy
- kitsch
- second-rate
- low-grade
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- elegant
- sophisticated
- appropriate
- fine
- exquisite
- fashionable
- stylish
- classy
- smart
- suitable
- posh
- classic
- tasteful
- simple
- chic
- correct
- proper
- fitting
- right
- seemly
- neat
- becoming
- modern
- conservative
- handsome
- understated
- quiet
- refined
- ritzy
- restrained
- genteel
- contemporary
- swanky
- in
- happening
- modish
- swank
- up-to-date
- à la mode
- a la mode
- cyanogen chloride
- cyanogeneses
- cyanogenesis
- cyanogenetic
- cyanogenic
- cyanogens
- cyanoguanidine
- cyanohydrin
- cyanohydrins
- cyanomaclurin
- cyanometer
- cyanometers
- cyanometric
- cyanometry
- cyanope
- cyanophoric
- Cyanophyceae
- cyanophyceaes
- cyanophycean
- cyanophyceous
- cyanophycin
- Cyanophyta
- cyanophytae
- cyanophytas
- cyanophyter