tactless
/'tæktlis/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues: Describes a person, remark, or action that shows a lack of skill in avoiding offending or upsetting people.
- Revealing a lack of perceptiveness or finesse: Indicates a failure to understand what is appropriate or considerate in a social situation.
Usage
- The adjective "tactless" is used to describe behavior, comments, or questions that are insensitive, blunt, or inconsiderate. It often implies that the person did not think carefully about the feelings of others or the demands of the situation.
- It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to criticize social missteps.
Examples
- Describing a person:
- He can be very tactless when discussing personal matters.
- Describing a remark or question:
- Asking about her salary was a tactless question.
- It was a tactless comment that hurt everyone's feelings.
- Describing an action:
- Bringing up his past failures during the celebration was incredibly tactless.
Advanced Usage
- "To be tactless enough to do something": Emphasizes the insensitivity of a specific action.
- He was tactless enough to criticize her cooking right in front of the other guests.
- Comparative and Superlative Forms: "more tactless", "most tactless", "less tactful", "least tactful".
- That was the most tactless apology I have ever heard.
Variants and Related Words
- Tactlessly (adverb): In an insensitive or blunt manner.
- He tactlessly pointed out the mistake in front of everyone.
- Tactlessness (noun): The quality or state of being tactless.
- His tactlessness often gets him into trouble.
Synonyms
- Insensitive: Not aware of or responsive to the feelings of others.
- Indiscreet: Having, showing, or resulting from poor judgment, especially in speech; not prudent.
- Undiplomatic: Not tactful; not skilled in dealing with others.
- Gauche: Lacking social grace; awkward or tactless.
- Thoughtless: Not showing consideration for the needs of other people.
Antonyms
- Tactful: Having or showing skill and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.
- Diplomatic: Skilled in dealing with sensitive matters or people; tactful.
- Discreet: Careful and prudent in one's speech or actions, especially to avoid causing offense.
- Considerate: Careful not to cause inconvenience or hurt to others.
Idioms and Phrases
- Put one's foot in it (idiom): To say or do something tactless or embarrassing.
- I really put my foot in it when I asked about her ex-husband.
- A bull in a china shop (idiom): A person who is clumsy or tactless in a delicate situation.
- He was like a bull in a china shop at the formal negotiation.
Adjective
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revealing lack of perceptiveness or judgment or finesse
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an inept remark
-
it was tactless to bring up those disagreeable
-
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lacking or showing a lack of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others
-
in the circumstances it was tactless to ask her age
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