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 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 Montmartre, actually, is a good example of what happens when the number of tourists becomes too unwieldy to manage—shops and services here have pivoted away from supporting locals, becoming souvenir stores and tourist-only businesses. — Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 In 2018, New York City officials rolled out a voucher program with an unwieldy name, CityFHEPS, and the laudable goal of decreasing homelessness by subsidizing housing. — Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 So imagine my delight at finding a way to ease these challenges while also improving my notoriously bad posture — something that didn’t involve complicated tech (like wires and sensors) or unwieldy physical objects. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwieldy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwieldy

Adjective

The other, in quite clumsy English, requested a very careful renovation of Ingmar Bergman’s house on the island of Fårö, in Sweden.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
He was saved by the presence nearby of Lisandro Martinez, but the challenge was so unorthodox, clumsy and deliberate that many referees would have cautioned the defender.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of clumsy

Adjective

Prior to Trump’s remarks, there were some awkward moments onstage as annual awards were given out, including to some journalists behind investigations of the president.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 July 2026
Talk about finances before combining households Money is one of the most common flashpoints for couples sharing a home, which is why experts urge partners to have the awkward conversations first.

— Ashley Lynch July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026

Definition of awkward

Adjective

Fedorov saw that system as far too cumbersome and prone to corruption.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
The City of Yes plan swept aside cumbersome zoning rules and made office buildings completed as recently as 1990 eligible for conversion in most of Manhattan and parts of other boroughs.

— Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026

Definition of cumbersome

Adjective

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
Instead of an ungainly pile of pillows, modern buyers prefer to let the materials sing.

— Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026

Definition of ungainly

Adjective

Previously, clunky lines of dialogue from Nolan’s Odyssey attracted online backlash, as trailers revealed the Ancient Greek adaptation to be littered with American accents and modern phrases.

— Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Above all, the overwrought thirty-two-dollar packet of luxury strikes a discordant note in a restaurant that seems, in every other way, to have no need for such clunky signifiers.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 26 July 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 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unwieldy

adjective

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

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