unwieldy
adjective
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The Difference Between Wieldy and Unwieldy
The verb to wield means "to handle or exert something effectively." A carpenter might wield a hammer with impressive dexterity, for example, or a talented orator might wield influence over an audience of listeners. Something that is "wieldy" is capable of being wielded easily, and while that adjective may not be particularly common, its antonym "unwieldy" finds ample use to describe anything that is awkward to handle, move, or manage. "Wield" and its relatives all derive via Middle English from Old English wieldan, meaning "to control."
Examples of unwieldy in a Sentence
Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Feb. 2026
Washington — The US economy’s engine may be starting to sputter, as Americans’ paychecks lose steam and their debt becomes even more unwieldy, new data showed Tuesday.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
That slippery, unwieldy peel, widely thought to be destined for the trash, actually has cooking, cleaning, and even medicinal properties.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 10 Feb. 2026
As with almost every cinematic interpretation of Wuthering Heights, the plot’s more unwieldy second half is disposed of entirely.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unwieldy
Cite this Entry
“Unwieldy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwieldy. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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unwieldy
adjective
