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unwieldy

adjective

ˌən-ˈwēl-dē How to pronounce unwieldy (audio)
Definition of unwieldynext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 unwieldy Having one starting pitcher repeat an unwieldy path from a season ago is one thing. — Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026 The shares are down more than 55% this year, and the global auto giant faces mounting pressure for radical action to counter Chinese competition, repair the damage from costly electric-vehicle missteps and prune an unwieldy stable of brands. — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 So a pinch of surprising depth proves to be the most unwieldy move when Roth unveils a resonantly nasty surprise for his story’s endgame. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 In contrast, ChatTJB’s responses are unwieldy and unpredictable. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwieldy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwieldy
  1. clumsy
  2. awkward
  3. cumbersome
  4. ungainly
  5. clunky
Adjective
  • Watson is a decade into this league — and quickly playing his way out of it — making the same clumsy mistakes that plagued Shedeur Sanders as a late-round rookie last year.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Such attempts to touch on the highly personal connections people have to Oasis’s music feel clumsy and forced, especially when juxtaposed with the brothers’ rather anonymous comments.
    — Elena Lazic, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • At least the latter gives you something to do with yourself during the awkward time that was really just meant for wedding party photo opportunities with no thought of the inconvenience to the guests.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Continue reading … -- POLITICS TELLING SILENCE — Socialist mayor's awkward response scrutinized after police chief's nervous glances.
    — , FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of awkward
Adjective
  • Creating the pipeline Although skilled chip workers are concentrated overseas, bringing over foreign talent on H-1B visas has become a costly and cumbersome process.
    — Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The 2019 Speedster followed in a long line of roofless performers dating back to the earliest days of the company, but that machine made do with a cumbersome fabric top that took minutes to manually attach.
    — Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of cumbersome
Adjective
  • Snow geese are large, ungainly animals, while this puppet one is sleek and white.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Another standout scene features Floyd, who looks like a soft, somewhat ungainly middle-aged man, suddenly getting on a pommel horse and doing something extraordinary.
    — Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of ungainly
Adjective
  • Even the offense, with another Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, looked clunky and out of sync.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Running parallel to this butchery investigation is the arrival of perpetually hungover FBI agent Gwen Birgssen, played by British actress Lily James with an incomprehensible southern drawl and some clunky platitudes that veer into genre parody.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of clunky

Browse Nearby Words

unwholesome
unwieldy
unwilled
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Cite this Entry

“Unwieldy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwieldy. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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