as in clumsy
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design
even my five-year-old laptop seems clunky next to some of the really slim new models
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Recent Examples of clunky
Unlike older translation tools that convert sentences word-for-word (often leading to clunky or confusing results), Live Translation takes a more natural approach by translating phrases.
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Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2025
Mehus brushed off reports that ordinary grunts regard the M7, designed by the German company Sig Sauer, as a clunky dud and complain of its heavy weight.
—Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
It’s also plagued by confusing time jumps, clunky dialogue that tells rather than shows and plot complications that get too complicated, bordering on overkill.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 18 Sep. 2025
The production, directed by Simon Godwin from a version by David Eldridge, takes a while to find itself, perhaps because Ibsen dumps exposition into an unbearably clunky first scene or because the play doesn’t introduce its heart, Hedvig, for nearly half an hour.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clunky
Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2025
Mehus brushed off reports that ordinary grunts regard the M7, designed by the German company Sig Sauer, as a clunky dud and complain of its heavy weight.
—Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
It’s also plagued by confusing time jumps, clunky dialogue that tells rather than shows and plot complications that get too complicated, bordering on overkill.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 18 Sep. 2025
The production, directed by Simon Godwin from a version by David Eldridge, takes a while to find itself, perhaps because Ibsen dumps exposition into an unbearably clunky first scene or because the play doesn’t introduce its heart, Hedvig, for nearly half an hour.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clunky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunky
Adjective
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Maggie is a snoop—and a clumsy one.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
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But the character’s state of servitude is largely hidden in clumsy blocking.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In July, a Coldplay concert jumbotron captured an awkward moment after panning to an embracing couple, who promptly unlocked arms and tried to dodge the camera.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
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According to Fightful, Holland had an awkward landing during his match.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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From scrunchies that secretly double as drink covers to zipper clips that stop pickpockets from opening your backpack, these viral finds prove that travel safety doesn’t have to be cumbersome or expensive.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
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Big, cumbersome, and greasy, baking sheets can be a pain to clean and dry off.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That aspect of the dispute will be closely watched across the industry, which has embraced streaming but in so doing foisted an unwieldy user experience on viewers of sports.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
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Leonora possesses an unwieldy, arch brand of femininity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunky. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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