unwieldy

1 of 2

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

unwieldiness

2 of 2

noun

un·​wield·​i·​ness -dēnə̇s 

-din-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being unwieldy : awkwardness

Did you know?

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

Adjective

• clumsy
• awkward
• cumbersome
• ungainly
• clunky

Examples of unwieldy in a Sentence

Adjective

The system is outdated and unwieldy.

an unwieldy machine that requires two people to operate it

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

According to Macallair, who has been working on juvenile justice reform for more than 40 years, any facility with more than 10 kids becomes unwieldy, distracting from rehabilitation and becoming more correctional. — Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 25 Sep. 2026

In the meantime, there’s a lot of unwieldy comic commotion involving a missing corpse, a tweaking, naked Dwight and enough insipid TV sibling bickering to clog the airwaves for a decade. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Prospective candidates have complained that many of the requirements to run are unwieldy and onerous, including the 26 documents being required. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

The Uprising’s final act does get unwieldy, as the director tries to show just how the rebellion was betrayed. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

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