clunky

adjective

ˈkləŋ-kē 

clunkier; clunkiest

: clumsy in style, form, or execution

a clunky thriller

clunky earrings

Synonyms of clunky

• clumsy
• awkward
• cumbersome
• unwieldy

Examples of clunky in a Sentence

I drive a clunky old station wagon.

His act was full of clunky one-liners.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are clunky moments where characters speak in thesis statements, and the larger stakes can get lost amid the individual dynamics. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026

Waiting for a response For students now entering college, email may seem slow, clunky and old-fashioned, especially compared to texting, which allows for brevity and informality. — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Democrats' chaotic, clunky Wisconsin primary Wisconsin is rough political terrain. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

But the apps required a clunky online authentication process and most importantly contained only the content from that one media company. — Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clunky

• chunky
• funky
• hunky
• junkie
• monkey
• spunky