maladroit

This term describes a specific blend of physical clumsiness and social ineptitude. It suggests a failure of coordination, whether that be in the movement of the hands or the navigation of a delicate conversation. The word carries a slightly formal or literary tone, often implying a lack of grace that leads to an embarrassing or counterproductive outcome. While similar to clumsy, it specifically emphasizes the absence of tact or diplomacy in interpersonal dealings. It is frequently used to describe diplomatic blunders or failed attempts at subtlety, where the speaker's lack of finesse creates tension rather than resolving it.