UNGAINLY Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

ungainly

adjective

ˌən-ˈgān-lē

Definition of ungainly

as in clumsy

difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design getting the ungainly couch up the stairs was a real chore

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in awkward

having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner the tree cutter was crushing any unlucky petunias that lay in the path of his ungainly tread

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 ungainly Seydoux tromps through the film with a masculine heaviness — a sense of dysphoria that translates to her character’s ungainly bearing. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 18 May 2026 In its back-to-back knottiness, the album takes on an ungainly quality that, deliberate or not, sets up roadblocks to prolonged enjoyment. — Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026 The situation has grown so ungainly and untenable that, if Silicon Valley is merely forced to slow down, the viability of all this spending will likely be called into question in ways that could be devastating for many. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026 But the documentary is an ungainly blend of ultra-earnest hagiography and trashy true-crime sensationalism, without being completely satisfying as either. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ungainly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungainly

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

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

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

In previous years, Ryans could lean on his defense to bail out an unsteady offense.

— Mike Jones, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
When Latif’s wife dies, he’s immediately forced to tamp down on the instincts that have provided for his family and wade unsteady into a world of bottles, transport, and dinner time.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of unsteady

Adjective

And it won’t be lost on anyone how uncoordinated the Chargers’ operation seemed behind its new coordinators.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
And some elements of it seem inarguably true, such as the idea that Clancy’s psychiatric care was woefully uncoordinated.

— Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of uncoordinated

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ungainliness

ungainly

ungallant

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“Ungainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungainly. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ungainly

adjective

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