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 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 But retrofitting buses, schools, and other places where people congregate with filtering systems is unwieldy and expensive. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 24 June 2026 An organization with the unwieldy name of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing — NASCAR — was born. — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwieldy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwieldy

Adjective

And the big rocket launch feels way too clumsy, the stakes feeling much lower than play builds towards.

— David John Chávez, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Paul Breitner, West Germany vs Netherlands, 1974 The Germans equalise from the spot after a clumsy foul by Wim Jansen.

— Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of clumsy

Adjective

And having everyone try to speak in English with Greek accents (not that the Greeks 2700 years ago would have sounded like Greeks do today) would have been awkward.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
If the process had advanced to a hearing, the Blues would have been put in the awkward position of having to build a case against him.

— Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of awkward

Adjective

That access is being strangled by an old and cumbersome permitting process for electrical transmission.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Before that, an early version relied on a physical switch on the side of the ECU, a cumbersome setup that meant popping the hood, removing trim, and flipping a switch.

— Peter Nelson, ArsTechnica, 10 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

But those early devices were clunky and expensive, good for large mammals such as moose and caribou, but not fit for commercial use on pets.

— Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 11 July 2026
Max Homa, who arrived with momentum after a runner-up finish at the John Deere Classic and opened with a 67, slid down the leaderboard after a clunky second round.

— Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 10 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unwieldy

adjective

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