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

Failing to do so can make for a clunky, inefficient shift and wear down components over time. — ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026

The boyfriend, a British DJ named James Kennedy, who had been playing a clunky set in the background, weaves over to the women, sweaty and frazzled. — Sylvia Varnham O’Regan, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026

The company, called Luffu, announced its first hardware product Tuesday, prioritizing a jewelry-like design over the clunky appearance of traditional medical devices. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

What results is a clunky viewing experience that tips the scales in favor of neither timeline, each half feeling like the first half of a full episode. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clunky

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