The “gawky” illustrations look as though they may have been done by Belva Jean herself (Bulletin, Mar. 1989).
Source: wiktionary
Gawky
/ˈɡɔːki/
Synonyms for "gawky" (97 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: clumsy, ungainly, all thumbs, awkward, awkward.
- Sentence evidence is available for gawky, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "gawky".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "gawky"
Keep "gawky" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "gawky" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "gawky", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "gawky" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
4 entriesbodily characteristicdesign qualityphysical attributesocial behavior
More specific
6 entriesawkward configurationawkward gaitpoor eye contactsocial awkwardnessungainly postureungainly silhouette
Collocations
5 entriesgawky appearancegawky figuregawky gaitgawky mannergawky stance
Inflections
2 entriesDerivations
3 entriessimilar
1 entriesSample sentences
4 total sentences available.
The woman had barely come up to Seth's shoulder. Petite with curly blonde hair and a dimpled smile. Nothing at all like Francine with her plain brown hair and hazel eyes. Just looking at the woman's picture had made her feel tall and gawky.
Source: wiktionary
"[…] Mrs. Sedley had forgiven his breaking the punch-bowl at the child's party. Don't you remember the catastrophe, Ma'am, seven years ago?" "Over Mrs. Flamingo's crimson silk gown," said good-natured Mrs. Sedley. "What a gawky it was! And his sisters are not much more graceful. Lady Dobbin was at Highbury last night with three of them. Such figures! my dears."
Source: wiktionary
Let not the inconveniently tall, the gawkies, the Maypoles, despair.
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "gawky"?
Closest matches include clumsy, ungainly, all thumbs, awkward, awkward.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "gawky"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.