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The system is outdated and unwieldy.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

For the present, we’re saddled with the unwieldy dilemma of there being eight major Democratic candidates and just two Republicans. —George Skelton, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026

Every song goes for everything, making the album exciting, expansive,and also… unwieldy. —Brendan Hay, SPIN, 30 Mar. 2026

For the present, we’re saddled with the unwieldy dilemma of there being eight major Democratic candidates and just two Republicans. —Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026

Rising debt levels are increasingly becoming unwieldy, particularly for lower-incomes Americans. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026

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