clumpy

adjective

Definition of clumpynext
as in lumpy
having small pieces or lumps spread throughout the soil was a little too clumpy to make for a good garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 clumpy The even mixing of the isotopes suggests that it was formed from fine dust grains rather than clumpy, coarser material. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 Sep. 2026 The clam chowder is perfectly balanced and not at all clumpy or overly thickened, and the lobster roll is one of the best in all of Boston. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026 The bag also absorbs some of the excess moisture, and moisture is the enemy that causes clumpy bits of flour mixture on the chicken’s skin. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026 Just be careful not to add water, since even tiny amounts can cause melted chocolate to turn into a grainy, clumpy mess. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 June 2026 Using a vegetable peeler, shave a modest amount of Parmesan onto a plate (a mound of grated Parmesan may look impressive, but all that clumpy cheese mutes the dressing). — Sue Li, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 June 2026 Joo missed another fairway to the right into a clumpy lie, pitched back to the fairway, sent her wedge over the green with a front pin, chipped 8 feet by the hole and missed the putt, taking a double bogey to fall three shots behind. — ABC News, 31 May 2026 Meanwhile, her subtle smoky eye, washed liner and clumpy lashes embellished the moody undertones of her fashion, while her naked nails and rosy lips added a minimal twist. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 May 2026 Avoid tracking clumpy sand into your car or hotel room by using a sand-resistant beach blanket in lieu of a towel. — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clumpy
  1. lumpy
  2. thick
  3. chunky
  4. nubby
Adjective
  • Batter should be lumpy with bits of dry flour (if the batter is overmixed your pancakes will be flat).
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Hups, a science teacher at Colorado’s Northglenn High School, immediately recognized the lumpy sandstone as dinosaur toes.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of lumpy
Adjective
  • The theme spills out into a walled garden, where the pool (which could have been a Raj pond in a past life) is lined with white parasols and thick, cushioned loungers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • His lovely camel-hair coat and thick scarf on this cold day gave him an air of elegance.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of thick
Adjective
  • The brand’s creative director, Pelagia Kolotouros, debuted the ACE-T1 sneaker, a chunky silhouette featuring actual tennis balls embedded into the heels.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Pair them with a chunky sweater and sneakers, or a classic button-down shirt and heeled booties this season.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of chunky
Adjective
  • This sofa, upholstered in a nubby textile, similar to boucle or chenille fabric, is a structured alternative to the boneless couches running amok on Amazon—but it’s designed to be just as comfortable.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Rigatoni is our shape of choice for this recipe—its wide opening captures the nubby bits of sausage while its ridges hold onto the light, almost-creamy sauce.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of nubby

Browse Nearby Words

clumps
clumpy
clumsily
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clumpy. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of etiquette

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All