UNWIELDY Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

unwieldy

adjective

ˌən-ˈwēl-dē

Definition of unwieldy

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 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 Beyond the walls of the company’s London headquarters, which is filled with thousands of its plushy pink octopus mascots, Jackson’s empire may look like an unwieldy one. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026 According to Macallair, who has been working on juvenile justice reform for more than 40 years, any facility with more than 10 kids becomes unwieldy, distracting from rehabilitation and becoming more correctional. — Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 25 Sep. 2026 In the meantime, there’s a lot of unwieldy comic commotion involving a missing corpse, a tweaking, naked Dwight and enough insipid TV sibling bickering to clog the airwaves for a decade. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwieldy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwieldy

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

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
Less cumbersome portable hifi listening Accessibility Innovations improving life for the elderly and people with disabilities.

— Time, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cumbersome

Adjective

And Farley was wild, crashing through tables, cramming himself into ungainly costumes, and going full red-faced dynamo mode all in pursuit of every last laugh in the building.

— Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2026
Snow geese are large, ungainly animals, while this puppet one is sleek and white.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of ungainly

Adjective

Affordable electric bikes usually mean enduring heavy frames, clunky kick-in for the motor and unrefined, unpredictable power delivery.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Amazon has dominated the space for nearly a decade, and while its early models were clunky, today's Echo Show lineup is powerful, well-designed, and genuinely useful.

— Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of clunky

Browse Nearby Words

unwholesome

unwieldy

unwilled

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“Unwieldy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwieldy. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of unwieldy

adjective

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