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 contrast, ChatTJB’s responses are unwieldy and unpredictable. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026 Conductor Nathalie Stutzmann made a convincing case for an unwieldy composition whose autographed score was given by Wagner's daughter-in-law, Winifried, to Hitler and lost in the destruction that ended World War II. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 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 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

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unwholesome

unwieldy

unwilled

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“Unwieldy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwieldy. Accessed 29 Aug. 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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