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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Recent Examples of unwieldy
Perhaps, with all the conquests, alliances and intermarriages, the elite class had grown too large and unwieldy for common farmers to support in a time when food supplies were dwindling, Rosado-Ramirez suggested to me.
—
Lizzie Wade, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
The Inflation Reduction Act clawbacks desired by a large portion of the GOP are just a small part of the unwieldy bill.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Because of the pandemic, multiple Hollywood strikes, and turmoil at Marvel Studios, it’s taken four and a half years for the show to materialize, though Thorne played the character in 2022’s unwieldy Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
In any event, Kern eventually gave up growing Gros Michel due to its unwieldy hands, but was able to pass along its legacy to an eager horticulturist who had traveled a long distance for the many pups or offsets that her plant had produced.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwieldy
Lizzie Wade, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
The Inflation Reduction Act clawbacks desired by a large portion of the GOP are just a small part of the unwieldy bill.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Because of the pandemic, multiple Hollywood strikes, and turmoil at Marvel Studios, it’s taken four and a half years for the show to materialize, though Thorne played the character in 2022’s unwieldy Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
In any event, Kern eventually gave up growing Gros Michel due to its unwieldy hands, but was able to pass along its legacy to an eager horticulturist who had traveled a long distance for the many pups or offsets that her plant had produced.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwieldy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwieldy
Adjective
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At times, Alcaraz was almost as clumsy as Federer in his last hurrah here against Hubert Hurkacz in 2021.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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But things get weighed down by a clumsy body-swapping plot and a pairing between Joe and 22 that never fully pays off.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Advertisement Advertisement To illustrate this point, consider the best man at a wedding who, instead of celebrating the couple, shares personal stories that only serve to embarrass them, often with awkward details that have no place in such a tender moment.—
Matt Abrahams,
Time,
12 July 2025
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An historic night at Madison Square Garden on Friday night turned into an awkward moment in the wee hours of Saturday morning at the Taylor-Serrano 3 post-fight press conference.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Second, immigrant families could obtain relief through class-action lawsuits, although filing class actions in federal court can be a lengthy and cumbersome process.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
6 July 2025
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Their effects will be modulated by how cumbersome or efficient work-verification systems are, by the availability of insurance-eligibility workers, and by community outreach or lack thereof.—
Lindsay Ryan,
The Atlantic,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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The official title is technically F1®: The Movie, an ungainly, trademarked reminder of both the brand the film was made in conjunction with, and the fact that that brand is so big that this $200-300 million Hollywood production is a blip in comparison.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
26 June 2025
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The cornerstones of maps’ data pools are satellite images and a tireless fleet of Street View cars that roam with ungainly camera hats, constantly refreshing neighborhood-level detail.—
Sonya Bennett-Brandt,
AFAR Media,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Swap out your old, clunky TV for a sleek new model while these Prime Day deals last.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
8 July 2025
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No detail was too small for New Balance: even the lace-up closure is designed for easy adjustability, especially helpful at TSA when juggling bins, shoes, and (in my case) a clunky double stroller loaded with twin babies.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unwieldy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwieldy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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