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 some boots that feel clunky and heavy on your feet, these feel virtually weightless Despite its lightweight design, the shoes feature durable EVA outsoles that have a slightly rugged, zig-zag pattern for ample traction in slippery weather conditions.
—
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2026
The result was a clunky moment in which Cher was brought out to present the award for Record of the Year before Trevor Noah interrupted her to hand over her lifetime-achievement award.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 Feb. 2026
Suncast Resin Vertical Tool Shed Unlike other outdoor storage solutions that are made of clunky wood or metal, this shed is an aesthetically pleasing alternative that won’t be an eyesore.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
That’s quite a contrast to the floor we were left to ponder after clunky road losses at Central Florida and West Virginia in a week’s span were sandwiched around a somewhat miraculous rally to beat TCU (3-5 in Big 12 play) in overtime at home.
—Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clunky
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2026
The result was a clunky moment in which Cher was brought out to present the award for Record of the Year before Trevor Noah interrupted her to hand over her lifetime-achievement award.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 Feb. 2026
Suncast Resin Vertical Tool Shed Unlike other outdoor storage solutions that are made of clunky wood or metal, this shed is an aesthetically pleasing alternative that won’t be an eyesore.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
That’s quite a contrast to the floor we were left to ponder after clunky road losses at Central Florida and West Virginia in a week’s span were sandwiched around a somewhat miraculous rally to beat TCU (3-5 in Big 12 play) in overtime at home.
—Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clunky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunky
Adjective
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Lizzie McGuire made viewers feel seen because Duff was clumsy and awkward, falling into platters of spaghetti and getting dumped by her first boyfriend.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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The tech driving my first clumsy steps included a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) and GPS sensors monitoring each ski’s position and the weight and angle of my heel.—
Kendall Hunter,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Reaching backward or twisting around other people to grab a bag is awkward and strains muscles.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
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These things are often awkward at the best of times and with the best of families, but this oddball mess of a household might just be the actual worst.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The process is cumbersome, deliberate, sluggish … and long overdue.—
Bill Swank,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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One approach is to reform outdated and cumbersome permitting processes so clean energy projects, such as for solar and wind power — along with more transmission lines — can be added to our grid more quickly.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Shot in mid-2024, the film has the air of having been chopped and changed several times over toward its final unwieldy form, premiering in competition at this year’s Berlinale.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2026
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Folding in half is ineffective and may result in overhandling the dough by the time the layers are built; folding into fourths makes the dough unwieldy.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunky. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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