cumbersome

adjective

ˈkəm-bər-səm How to pronounce cumbersome (audio)
Definition of cumbersomenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective cumbersome differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cumbersome are cumbrous, heavy, ponderous, and weighty. While all these words mean "having great weight," cumbrous and cumbersome imply heaviness and bulkiness that make for difficulty in grasping, moving, carrying, or manipulating.

wrestled with the cumbrous furniture
early cameras were cumbersome and inconvenient

Where would heavy be a reasonable alternative to cumbersome?

While in some cases nearly identical to cumbersome, heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class.

a heavy child for his age

When can ponderous be used instead of cumbersome?

The words ponderous and cumbersome can be used in similar contexts, but ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia.

ponderous elephants in a circus parade

When might weighty be a better fit than cumbersome?

In some situations, the words weighty and cumbersome are roughly equivalent. However, weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight.

a load of weighty boxes

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 cumbersome When one party controls virtually every lever of power, the incentive to reform a cumbersome system diminishes. — Matt Klink, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 With a Brush Head Heavy electric vacuums can be extremely cumbersome to use on furniture, and their handy attachments often don’t cover enough fabric at a time. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026 And though there are no tariffs imposed on British goods entering the EU, there is a raft of non-tariff barriers, such as cumbersome customs paperwork, border certifications, and visa restrictions. — ABC News, 21 June 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 See All Example Sentences for cumbersome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cumbersome
  1. clumsy
  2. awkward
  3. unwieldy
  4. clunky
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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Too clunky to be S-tier Nolan, but the last act rewards the journey.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of clunky

Browse Nearby Words

cumbers
cumbersome
cumbersomeness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on cumbersome

Nglish: Translation of cumbersome for Spanish Speakers

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