gracelessly
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb: 1. In an awkward, clumsy, or lacking elegance manner: Performing an action without smoothness, poise, or aesthetic grace. 2. In an ungracious or tactless manner: Behaving or speaking without courtesy, kindness, or social finesse.
Usage and Examples
Describing physical movement:
- The large bird landed gracelessly on the thin branch, causing it to shake violently.
- He stumbled and fell gracelessly into the pool.
Describing behavior or speech:
- She gracelessly dismissed their concerns, offending everyone in the room.
- He apologized so gracelessly that it seemed like an insult.
Advanced Usage
- "to exit gracelessly": To leave a situation in an awkward, embarrassing, or undignified way, often after a failure or disagreement.
- After losing the debate, the candidate exited gracelessly, refusing to shake hands.
Variants and Related Words
- Graceless (adjective): Lacking grace, elegance, or courtesy.
- His graceless attempt at flattery made everyone uncomfortable.
- Gracefully (adverb): The direct antonym, meaning in an elegant, smooth, or courteous manner.
Synonyms
- Clumsily: In an awkward, uncoordinated way.
- Awkwardly: In a manner that is not smooth or relaxed.
- Ungracefully: A direct synonym, meaning without grace.
- Tactlessly: Without sensitivity in dealing with others.
Antonyms
- Gracefully
- Elegantly
- Poisedly
- Tactfully
Notes on Meaning
The two core meanings are closely related but apply to different domains. The first (clumsy movement) is often physical, while the second (tactless behavior) is social. The context usually makes the intended meaning clear.
Adverb
- in a graceless manner
- she moves rather gracelessly
- without grace; rigidly
- they moved woodenly