ham-handed

adjective

ˈham-ˌhan-dəd How to pronounce ham-handed (audio)
Definition of ham-handednext
as in clumsy
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands much too ham-handed to use one of those tiny cell phones

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ham-handed Nowhere is the ham-handed effort more evident than in Texas, where a blend of culture war grievance and incel-targeting rage have circled the sharp-witted but mild-mannered Talarico, whose campaign is shaping up to be a fundraising juggernaut. — Philip Elliott, Time, 2 June 2026 Who doubts the law would be enforced in a ham-handed way, with people being denied the presumption of innocence? — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2026 Even the film’s critic-defying, pinky-swearing fanbase may be disappointed in the barebones production, jarring plotting, tired dialogue and ham-handed staging. — Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026 Or public employee unions might put up the money, given that a Republican winner is likely to create a state version of Elon Musk’s ham-handed attempt to fire nearly everyone on the federal payroll. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ham-handed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ham-handed
  1. clumsy
  2. awkward
Adjective
  • Such episodes now look like clumsy moments in a decade of dissembling.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Yirenki’s challenge on Christos Tzolis is clumsy, but well short of a first yellow card, let alone a second.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • Lug a bulky, awkward, bear-proof canister to store your food so you don’t get mauled.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That puts the conference’s universities in an awkward—and potentially paradoxical—position of promoting a product that researchers within their academic departments have raised concerns about.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of awkward

Browse Nearby Words

ham-fisted
ham-handed
ham-handedly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ham-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ham-handed. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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