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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Of course, there are still plenty of clunky eyesores out there. — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2026 The keyboard case was a little clunky to get on and off, though. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026 This isn’t a clunky security unit that leaves you guessing what triggered an alert. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026 Even the offense, with another Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, looked clunky and out of sync. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clunky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunky

Adjective

Some Latinas are nerds, and some Latinas are quirky, and some of them are goofy and some of them are clumsy.

— Johanna Ferreira, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
One of the clumsiest parts of Klosterman’s book is his attempts at political punditry.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of clumsy

Adjective

The latest unit retains the same first six forward ratios as the outgoing Carrera T’s manual transmission, but ditches its predecessor’s somewhat awkward and largely superfluous seventh gear.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Unsurprisingly, writers have developed a myriad of strategies and tricks to push through this awkward stage.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of awkward

Adjective

Less cumbersome portable hifi listening Accessibility Innovations improving life for the elderly and people with disabilities.

— Time, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of cumbersome

Adjective

The exec was brought in to rein in filmmaker spending and streamline Netflix’s notoriously unwieldy film operation.

— Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
The low-profile design is not nearly as unwieldy as a traditional ruck, so women on-the-go can build muscle while running errands.

— Eliza Thompson, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of unwieldy

Browse Nearby Words

clunks

clunky

cluster

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Clunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunky. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of clunky

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vocation

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes