CLUNKY Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

clunky

adjective

ˈkləŋ-kē

Definition of clunky

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of clunky Even the offense, with another Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, looked clunky and out of sync. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 Running parallel to this butchery investigation is the arrival of perpetually hungover FBI agent Gwen Birgssen, played by British actress Lily James with an incomprehensible southern drawl and some clunky platitudes that veer into genre parody. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026 Just two years ago, Fernández, a former economics professor, would’ve blamed Cuba’s clunky bureaucratic system and lack of economic freedoms for any challenges to Cuba’s private sector. — Rick Jervis, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 Eloquence clearly isn’t Ken’s strong suit, but his clunky commentary gains pertinence when the scene cuts to Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) and Mare (Chelsea Frei). — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clunky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunky

Adjective

One of the clumsiest parts of Klosterman’s book is his attempts at political punditry.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Feed your head Neagley gets off to a sluggish start, with a workmanlike, rather clumsy first episode largely spent establishing the main characters and central plot—and the writers lean a bit too hard on constant Chicago callbacks.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of clumsy

Adjective

Though there are other techniques for directly locating explosives, these tend to be cumbersome and can only detect explosives in bulk, while MineReader is as portable as a conventional detector rig.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026
The process for officially revoking certificates is slow and cumbersome, so browser makers have devised quicker methods to block specific certificates at the browser level.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of cumbersome

Adjective

But for some residents, they are seen as a nuisance, with unwieldy roots or too many leaves to rake up.

— Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026
The eight episodes dropping on Prime Video October 7 comprise an unwieldy story that sprawls widely around Carrie but also seems afraid of her — and not in the way King’s novel intended.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of unwieldy

Browse Nearby Words

clunks

clunky

cluster

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“Clunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunky. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of clunky

adjective

Example Sentences

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