as in clumsy
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design a long-handled wrench that is too cumbersome for tight spots, such as under the sink

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective cumbersome differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cumbersome are cumbrous, heavy, ponderous, and weighty. While all these words mean "having great weight," cumbrous and cumbersome imply heaviness and bulkiness that make for difficulty in grasping, moving, carrying, or manipulating.

wrestled with the cumbrous furniture
early cameras were cumbersome and inconvenient

Where would heavy be a reasonable alternative to cumbersome?

While in some cases nearly identical to cumbersome, heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class.

a heavy child for his age

When can ponderous be used instead of cumbersome?

The words ponderous and cumbersome can be used in similar contexts, but ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia.

ponderous elephants in a circus parade

When might weighty be a better fit than cumbersome?

In some situations, the words weighty and cumbersome are roughly equivalent. However, weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight.

a load of weighty boxes

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 cumbersome Each transition creates a risk of leaving a 401(k) behind, especially when workers are unaware of their options or deterred by cumbersome rollover processes. Brian Menickella, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Presented in ordinary format, these books would be cumbersome library volumes. Paul Slovak september 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025 But installing the wires is cumbersome and prone to wear and tear. Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025 Some brands are trying to change that, but the process has been slow and cumbersome. Corey Buhay, Outside, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cumbersome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cumbersome
Adjective
  • Threading that narrative in there, and getting all the clumsy beats and the awkward beats, felt like a continuation of the narrative.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Well accustomed to the bumps and bruises that come with playing defense at a high level, Thomas can look back with some humor at one of the ankle injuries, which was due to a clumsy play.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In July, a Coldplay concert jumbotron captured an awkward moment after panning to an embracing couple, who promptly unlocked arms and tried to dodge the camera.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
  • According to Fightful, Holland had an awkward landing during his match.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Leonora possesses an unwieldy, arch brand of femininity.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Arafat led the Fatah movement and was the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization, a sometimes unwieldy umbrella group of various Palestinian factions, ranging from outright Marxist to avowedly Islamist and everything in between.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Spurs were clunky and predictable in possession, apart from a spell at the end of the first half when Mohammed Kudus looked too quick and too sharp for the Wolves defence.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • With an inventory that includes different shelving, various chairs, and entertainment staples, the line’s Lillian TV stand jazzes up a furniture piece that all too often prioritizes overly functional, clunky silhouettes.
    Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 23 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cumbersome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumbersome. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cumbersome

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!