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
  • Maggie is a snoop—and a clumsy one.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
  • But the character’s state of servitude is largely hidden in clumsy blocking.
    Frank Rizzo, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s six games without a goal now for their new striker, who still looks awkward in this side.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The onion on top is a little awkward to cut and to eat, so think of this as a knife-and-fork cornbread.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That aspect of the dispute will be closely watched across the industry, which has embraced streaming but in so doing foisted an unwieldy user experience on viewers of sports.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Leonora possesses an unwieldy, arch brand of femininity.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The clunky start kept them off-balance.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The board and tokens can feel clunky to manage mid-game, and keeping track of the location of the mic (so no one has an unfair advantage) added a fiddliness that sometimes pulled attention away from the performance.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 6 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cumbersome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumbersome. Accessed 9 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!