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The system is outdated and unwieldy.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

So imagine my delight at finding a way to ease these challenges while also improving my notoriously bad posture — something that didn’t involve complicated tech (like wires and sensors) or unwieldy physical objects. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2026

The anxieties, the mess, the whole unwieldy tapestry of the celebration has nothing at all to do with me. — Bobby Finger june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

Could the deal spur Fox to examine what is becoming an unwieldy streaming portfolio? — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 June 2026

An organization with the unwieldy name of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing — NASCAR — was born. — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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