Tom made a ham-fisted attempt.
Source: tatoeba (1495059)
Ham-fisted
/ˈhæmˌfɪstɪd/
Synonyms for "ham-fisted" (37 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (8)
Adjective(3 words)
Strong matches (11)
Adjective(3 words)
Related words (18)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: all thumbs, awkward, blunderheaded, boorish, bumbling.
- Sentence evidence is available for ham-fisted, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, wordnet.
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 "ham-fisted".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "ham-fisted"
Keep "ham-fisted" 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 "ham-fisted" 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 "ham-fisted", 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 "ham-fisted" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
similar
1 entriesTranslations
19 translations across 12 languages.
Bavarian German
1 entries- påtschert adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
Bulgarian
1 entries- несръ́чен adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
Dutch
3 entries- lomp adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
- onbeholpen adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
- onhandig adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
Finnish
2 entries- kömpelö adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
- poropeukalo adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
French
1 entries- maladroit adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
German
2 entries- plump adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
- unbeholfen adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
Hungarian
1 entries- ügyetlen adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
Norwegian
2 entries- klomsete adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
- klønete adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
Portuguese
1 entries- desengonçado adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
Russian
2 entries- нело́вкий adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
- неуклю́жий adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
Serbo-Croatian
2 entries- nèspretan adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
- нѐспретан adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
Swedish
1 entries- valhänt adj (lacking skill in physical movement with the hands — see also clumsy)
Sample sentences
7 total sentences available.
He made many ham-fisted references to his favorite science fiction novels in hopes someone would recognize them.
Source: tatoeba (11294453)
His ham-fisted handling of the situation made things worse.
Source: tatoeba (12986578)
"God damn and blast all you hamfisted yokels!" he was saying. "And you, sir, down there. Take that grin off your face and be more careful, or I'll have you clapped under hatches to sail with us today. Easy, there, easy! Christ, rum at seven guineas an anker isn't meant to be dropped like pig iron!"
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 7 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "ham-fisted"?
Closest matches include all thumbs, awkward, blunderheaded, boorish, bumbling.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "ham-fisted"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.