Cloddishly

Cloddishly describes an action or behavior that is characterized by clumsiness, awkwardness, and a lack of grace or refinement. It often implies a lack of social awareness or tact, leading to blunders or missteps. The term suggests a heavy-handed or unpolished approach, both physically and socially. It also hints at a certain naiveté or unsophistication. It can be used to describe both actions and the manner in which someone behaves or communicates. Someone acting cloddishly might stumble over their words, mishandle objects, or make insensitive remarks. The word carries a connotation of unintended awkwardness rather than deliberate malice, more reminiscent of someone lacking social skills than someone intentionally trying to cause offense. The behavior described is often unintentional, reflecting a lack of polish or awareness of social norms.

Cloddishly meaning with examples

• He approached the elegant table with a nervous grin, his broad shoulders hunched. He reached for the crystal goblet, then, cloddishly, knocked it over, sending shards of glass across the polished surface and his face became a crimson mask of embarrassment. He was more suited for a pub than this grand party.
• The young man, trying to impress his date, started to tell a joke, but cloddishly, tripped over the punchline, mixing it up with a previous story. The result left his date looking at the floor and feeling more awkward than amused, and she quickly changed the subject.
• Attempting to dance, the lumbering giant moved cloddishly across the dance floor, stepping on numerous toes. The sight of his graceless movements, combined with his sheer size, caused the other dancers to scatter like frightened birds, leaving him alone in the center.
• During the delicate negotiation, the experienced diplomat subtly guided the conversation, while his junior assistant, speaking cloddishly, blurted out sensitive information without regard for the impact. The assistant's outburst almost derailed the whole deal.
• The comedian, rather than subtly weaving humor into the performance, delivered his jokes cloddishly, with obvious set-ups and predictable punchlines. The result wasn't laughter but a cascade of uncomfortable silences, punctuated by the rustling of the audience.