clunky

adjective

ˈkləŋ-kē How to pronounce clunky (audio)
Definition of clunkynext
as in clumsy
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design even my five-year-old laptop seems clunky next to some of the really slim new models

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 clunky This detail—along with the slim design that slips seamlessly into low-profile shoes without looking clunky—makes the insoles ideal for wearing with sockless footwear, such as ballet flats or loafers. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 5 July 2026 Unlike clunky acupressure bands or funky glasses, the Essence Essential Oil Nasal Diffusers are surprisingly discreet. — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026 Those clunky portable units do ease discomfort, at least; another widely available air-conditioning option, known as a split unit, is typically more efficient, but also more expensive and harder to install. — Beth Gardiner, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026 The overwhelming majority of events that maintain some connection to America250 are organized by state-level or local commissions and listed on the national commission’s website in a clunky database. — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for clunky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunky
  1. clumsy
  2. awkward
  3. cumbersome
  4. unwieldy
Adjective
  • Such a feature would neatly get around the need for clumsy remote control sessions to interact with AI agents running on a distant Mac.
    — Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • The head coach was clumsy in his response, saying — in effect — that the player is better suited to being an impact substitute and taking advantage of tiring opposition defenders.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • Human bodies were like animals’ The few medical instruments of the revolutionary era were heavy in the hand, awkward in use and imprecise to maneuver.
    — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • In its place are itty-bitty bands that still keep your flats or heels in place, just with less of a chance of awkward tan lines.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 1 July 2026
Definition of awkward
Adjective
  • Moving fast and smart – as an efficiency first strategy enables – is the winner as compared to the more cumbersome and costly conventional approach.
    — Kathleen “Katie” McGinty, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • For example, in tenant onboarding, using AI to automatically auto-fill and email a 50-page PDF lease just speeds up the generation of a static, cumbersome document that still requires manual follow-ups.
    — Ali Hoss, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of cumbersome
Adjective
  • Each practice requires different tools and skill sets, leading to an overall complexity that is very unwieldy to control.
    — Ipsita Mohanty, Forbes.com, 30 June 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
Definition of unwieldy

Browse Nearby Words

clunks
clunky
cluster
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Cite this Entry

“Clunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunky. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on clunky

Nglish: Translation of clunky for Spanish Speakers

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