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Tactless vs Awkward - What's the difference?

tactless | awkward |

As adjectives the difference between tactless and awkward

is that tactless is having no tact; unaware or intentionally inconsiderate of someone else's feelings while awkward is lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments.

As an adverb awkward is

(obsolete) in a backwards direction.

tactless

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • having no tact; unaware or intentionally inconsiderate of someone else's feelings
  • :It was tactless of you not to attend your sister's wedding.
  • Antonyms

    * tactful

    awkward

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • (obsolete) In a backwards direction.
  • *, Bk.V, Ch.x:
  • Than groned the knyght for his grymme woundis, and gyrdis to Sir Gawayne and awkewarde hym strykes, and.

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments
  • John was awkward at performing the trick. He'll have to practice to improve.
  • Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing
  • That was an extremely awkward moment. Everyone was watching.
    An awkward silence had fallen.
  • Lacking social skills, or uncomfortable with social interaction
  • I'm very awkward at parties.
    Things get very awkward whenever 60-year old men use cheesy pick-up lines on me.
  • Perverse; adverse; difficult to handle
  • He's a right awkward chap.
    These cabinets are going to be very awkward when we move.

    Synonyms

    * (lacking dexterity) clumsy, ungraceful, unhandy, lubberly * (lacking social skill) maladroit

    Antonyms

    * (having dexterity) dexterous, graceful, skillful, gainly * (having social skills) cool, amiable

    Derived terms

    * awkwardly * awkwardness