as in clumsy
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design a long-handled wrench that is too cumbersome for tight spots, such as under the sink

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective cumbersome differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cumbersome are cumbrous, heavy, ponderous, and weighty. While all these words mean "having great weight," cumbrous and cumbersome imply heaviness and bulkiness that make for difficulty in grasping, moving, carrying, or manipulating.

wrestled with the cumbrous furniture
early cameras were cumbersome and inconvenient

Where would heavy be a reasonable alternative to cumbersome?

While in some cases nearly identical to cumbersome, heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class.

a heavy child for his age

When can ponderous be used instead of cumbersome?

The words ponderous and cumbersome can be used in similar contexts, but ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia.

ponderous elephants in a circus parade

When might weighty be a better fit than cumbersome?

In some situations, the words weighty and cumbersome are roughly equivalent. However, weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight.

a load of weighty boxes

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 cumbersome Actually finding and accessing Broncos games is more cumbersome than ever, though. Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025 Silicon Valley is seeking to block cumbersome AI regulation with a new fund backed by OpenAI President Greg Brockman and VC firm Andreessen Horowitz that will support AI-friendly politicians. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025 Only in the streaming era have those long-term agreements (complete with cumbersome physical equipment) started to ease. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2025 If this is cumbersome for me, a privacy advocate, what does the public at large think about it? Justyn Newman, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cumbersome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cumbersome
Adjective
  • Chris and Emilia’s conversation is suddenly interrupted by a premature explosion, which was caused by a clumsy member of a militia group called the Sons of Liberty.
    Scott Meslow, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Tiny, slow and clumsy — these hatchlings are an easy snack for predators.
    Diaa Hadid, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After a 21-year absence from Wrigley Field that ended earlier this summer, the weekend ceremonies seemed to signal the conclusion to an awkward, ongoing saga.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • However, nothing negates the unique way in which people from the South embrace socializing with each other, which brings us to a potentially awkward situation that arises often enough and gives grief to even the most polite Southerners.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The cycle that Columbine helped kick off has evolved into a subculture that is dark, unwieldy, and durable.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Gleeson, Frei, Key, Gregg, and Young are very good, too (although many of their castmates get lost in the unwieldy ensemble).
    Judy Berman, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Back then, this was where early adventurers lined up, their skis clunky, their ambitions limitless, ready to take a ride into the unknown.
    Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Nicholson worked closely with choreographer Corey Baker to develop her character’s clunky, earnest dance style.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cumbersome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumbersome. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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