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 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 Amazon’s Prime Video continues to be the most unwieldy streaming service with literally hundreds of titles getting added and dropped every few days. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 13 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

Adjective

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
After meeting at a society reception, Henry sets out to marry Henrietta, an endearingly clumsy, overly apologetic botanist with ambitions of discovering a new species of fern.

— Air Mail, Air Mail, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of clumsy

Adjective

Jaissle sees Murphy as offering more this season than Woltemade, who is clearly an awkward stylistic fit, and so those decisions were made.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, all new members, will be there, introducing fresh tensions into the agenda and some awkward photo calls.

— Ian Bremmer, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of awkward

Adjective

But the situation remains murky and operations are cumbersome, with rescuers digging by hand.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Another important implication is that once a country is removed from the State Department list, getting it back on is bureaucratically cumbersome.

— Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 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

The first half was clunky, but — as usual — Moore kept his cool and was at his best in the critical moments.

— Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Leaving behind the 1996–2000 era of clunky plastic telephones with long cords and no internet, Scream 4 adapts to the times and introduces cell phones, webcams, laptops, and social media.

— Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unwieldy

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

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