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 But the remainder feels leftover — formless and aimless — like tinfoil stretched around a clunky, conventional mass. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Affordable electric bikes usually mean enduring heavy frames, clunky kick-in for the motor and unrefined, unpredictable power delivery. — New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026 But women looking for front wands have been stuck with unheated manual models or clunky sprayers. — Eliza Thompson, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 The BetMGM app is slower loading and the bet builder is a little clunky. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clunky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunky

Adjective

As Ivan and Nina wrestle with their own emotional truths, which range from her mother Nora’s departure from their lives to Ivan’s clumsy recitations of Nina’s childhood antics, something alarming is afoot.

— Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Here, his clumsy, winky, affected, and self-undercutting direction can’t even work the charming Jenna Ortega to a great performance, as her Klara is flattened into a bundle of manic pixie mannerisms both physical and verbal.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of clumsy

Adjective

Trump’s local appearances might present an awkward situation for some candidates who have sought to distance themselves from the president.

— Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
In Sam’s case, his roaring egotism is somewhat awkward because he’s also obsessed with the idea of being altruistic.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of awkward

Adjective

Further compounding the urgency, patching UEFI code vulnerabilities in millions of end devices sold and used by thousands of hardware makers and cloud providers is cumbersome and time-consuming.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026
Enter the fast-growing world of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, known by the somewhat cumbersome acronym of eVTOLs.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of cumbersome

Adjective

Because the wheelchairs were so unwieldy, the actors needed to get out of them to relax their bodies.

— Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026
Its proportions strike a nice balance, giving you plenty of screen real estate without making the phone feel unwieldy.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of clunky

adjective

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