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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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 lucrative incentives have allowed for the conversion of unwieldy buildings in unlikely districts. — Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026 The sprawling business model that competitors once envied had become a liability—unwieldy, capital-intensive, and increasingly unable to compete in focused, fast-moving markets. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 July 2026 In video of the occupation, Tubbs and his trusty dog Pujo can be seen sitting atop a towering twenty-foot platform, precariously balanced on two long poles anchored by an unwieldy pair of cables. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 But the unwieldy timeline of the training facility’s completion has begun to erode trust from the latest iteration of the Sky roster. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwieldy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwieldy

Adjective

Vocals are surprisingly good, despite the show being a bit awkward and clumsy at times.

— Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026
Sneak away into the beyond—maybe this was a clumsy translation.

— Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of clumsy

Adjective

As a result, New York got a great public space — and resuscitating the BQE became far more complicated and cumbersome.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 Aug. 2026
Until recently, American orders were shipped from Portugal, adding delivery time, customs and duties, while making returns and exchanges more cumbersome.

— Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of cumbersome

Adjective

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
Using original photographs, and input from the Pourtout archives, the restoration team reversed the ungainly Saoutchik body modifications, and the curved windshield and twin rear-window design returned.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 July 2026

Definition of ungainly

Adjective

What results is a clunky viewing experience that tips the scales in favor of neither timeline, each half feeling like the first half of a full episode.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2026
This means that a student who uses Claude to rework a few clunky sentences in their prose is likely to raise the same detection flags as one who used the bot to write their entire essay from scratch.

— Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unwieldy

adjective

Example Sentences

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