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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 cycle that Columbine helped kick off has evolved into a subculture that is dark, unwieldy, and durable.
—
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Gleeson, Frei, Key, Gregg, and Young are very good, too (although many of their castmates get lost in the unwieldy ensemble).
—Judy Berman, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
The MaraX’s steam wand is powerful without being unwieldy, and our testers felt in control when texturing both dairy and oat milk.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
At any rate, the Scar’s display quality is top-notch, and the spacious 16-inch screen is perfect for laptop gaming without the unwieldy size of an 18-inch system.
—Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwieldy
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Gleeson, Frei, Key, Gregg, and Young are very good, too (although many of their castmates get lost in the unwieldy ensemble).
—Judy Berman, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
The MaraX’s steam wand is powerful without being unwieldy, and our testers felt in control when texturing both dairy and oat milk.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
At any rate, the Scar’s display quality is top-notch, and the spacious 16-inch screen is perfect for laptop gaming without the unwieldy size of an 18-inch system.
—Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwieldy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwieldy
Adjective
-
Maggie is a snoop—and a clumsy one.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
-
But the character’s state of servitude is largely hidden in clumsy blocking.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In July, a Coldplay concert jumbotron captured an awkward moment after panning to an embracing couple, who promptly unlocked arms and tried to dodge the camera.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
According to Fightful, Holland had an awkward landing during his match.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
From scrunchies that secretly double as drink covers to zipper clips that stop pickpockets from opening your backpack, these viral finds prove that travel safety doesn’t have to be cumbersome or expensive.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Big, cumbersome, and greasy, baking sheets can be a pain to clean and dry off.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Critics started using the ungainly term Apatowian to describe his imitators.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
15 Sep. 2025
-
An absolute charmer, the film is an affecting look at the human-avian bond, with all its mysteries, warmth and ungainly practicalities.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Spurs were clunky and predictable in possession, apart from a spell at the end of the first half when Mohammed Kudus looked too quick and too sharp for the Wolves defence.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
With an inventory that includes different shelving, various chairs, and entertainment staples, the line’s Lillian TV stand jazzes up a furniture piece that all too often prioritizes overly functional, clunky silhouettes.—
Lauren Arzbaecher,
Architectural Digest,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unwieldy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwieldy. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share