unwieldy

adjective

un·​wieldy ˌən-ˈwēl-dē 

: not easily managed, handled, or used (as because of bulk, weight, complexity, or awkwardness) : cumbersome

trying to carry a large, unwieldy box

unwieldily

ˌən-ˈwēl-də-lē 

adverb

unwieldiness

ˌən-ˈwēl-dē-nəs 

noun

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The Difference Between Wieldy and Unwieldy

The verb to wield means "to handle or exert something effectively." A carpenter might wield a hammer with impressive dexterity, for example, or a talented orator might wield influence over an audience of listeners. Something that is "wieldy" is capable of being wielded easily, and while that adjective may not be particularly common, its antonym "unwieldy" finds ample use to describe anything that is awkward to handle, move, or manage. "Wield" and its relatives all derive via Middle English from Old English wieldan, meaning "to control."

Synonyms of unwieldy

• clumsy
• awkward
• cumbersome
• ungainly
• clunky

Examples of unwieldy in a Sentence

The system is outdated and unwieldy.

an unwieldy machine that requires two people to operate it

Recent Examples on the Web

While Seehorn fully embodies Carol Sturka’s complexities — her ultra-relatable prickliness, fear, resentment and unwieldy emotions — Gilligan admits to having left a piece of himself in the character. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2025

Despite the game’s unwieldy duration, 8 million people were still tuned in to Fox when Freeman’s bat finally called it a night. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2025

A lot of what is unwieldy about Down Cemetery Road stems from the source novel, which predates the Slough House series and showcases a writer with an exceptional gift for dialogue and characterization but a more nascent sense of rudimentary storytelling. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025

Shot at the real-life Flintham Hall manor house, cinematographer Sean Bobbitt’s camera glides around lush setpieces ranging from a shadowy hedge maze to a swimming lake and an unwieldy bonfire. —Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

unwieldy

adjective

un·​wieldy ˌən-ˈwē(ə)l-dē 

ˈən-

: not easily handled or managed because of size or weight : awkward, cumbersome

an unwieldy tool