as in clumsy
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design
a long-handled wrench that is too cumbersome for tight spots, such as under the sink
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Recent Examples of cumbersome
Even if borrowers can eventually buy back this time, that adds another cumbersome step to a process that is already notoriously bureaucratic.
—
Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
But calculation with Roman numerals is incredibly complicated and cumbersome.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 9 May 2025
Legacy systems, with outdated technology and cumbersome procedures, have delayed retirements and frustrated employees who have dedicated their careers to public service.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
The development partnership, the Vets Collective, relied on tax credit financing, a cumbersome process that not only can add years to a project but also only funds housing.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cumbersome
Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
But calculation with Roman numerals is incredibly complicated and cumbersome.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 9 May 2025
Legacy systems, with outdated technology and cumbersome procedures, have delayed retirements and frustrated employees who have dedicated their careers to public service.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
The development partnership, the Vets Collective, relied on tax credit financing, a cumbersome process that not only can add years to a project but also only funds housing.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cumbersome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cumbersome
Adjective
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These transitions, between past and present, are sometimes clumsy but sometimes genuinely sweet, as with an old letter that near-simultaneously is dictated and written, received and read, and finally rediscovered (and only partially understood) in the 21st century.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
27 May 2025
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Wildlife officials helped remove a black bear found hanging out in the kitchen of a Kentucky home after an impressive, yet clumsy break-in, photos show.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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Eddie's real parentage is revealed, Maeve is outed, Kevin catches up with Rusby, Bella brokers her deal, and Alice attends an awkward Harrigan dinner.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
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There is also an awkward disconnect: Gmail’s recent encryption upgrade clashes with its AI upgrades.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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But as evening hours set in, the upbeat tone stood at odds with the unwieldy scene at the Capitol.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Chicago Tribune,
21 May 2025
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There’s a lot of comedy in the unwieldy quadrilateral chest panel of Alex’s dress.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Getting this into English would be clunky and far too wordy to fit into Quino’s word bubbles.—
Lily Meyer,
The Dial,
20 May 2025
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The cameras aren't as great, though, and Oppo's software is still clunky and buggy.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cumbersome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumbersome. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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