UNWIELDINESSES Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

unwieldy

adjective

ˌən-ˈwēl-dē

as in clumsy

difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design an unwieldy machine that requires two people to operate it

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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 unwieldy That slippery, unwieldy peel, widely thought to be destined for the trash, actually has cooking, cleaning, and even medicinal properties. —

Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 10 Feb. 2026 As with almost every cinematic interpretation of Wuthering Heights, the plot’s more unwieldy second half is disposed of entirely. —

David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026 The two leaders were former allies who later became embroiled in bruising political disputes, deepening divisions in one of Asia's most unwieldy democracies. —

Jim Gomez The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026 Everyone, for different reasons, will be watching to see if this experiment in democratic socialist governance in a city as diverse and unwieldy as New York City will succeed or fail. —

Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwieldy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwieldy

Adjective

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
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