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
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Recent Examples of clunky
The result was a clunky moment in which Cher was brought out to present the award for Record of the Year before Trevor Noah interrupted her to hand over her lifetime-achievement award.
—
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 Feb. 2026
Suncast Resin Vertical Tool Shed Unlike other outdoor storage solutions that are made of clunky wood or metal, this shed is an aesthetically pleasing alternative that won’t be an eyesore.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
That’s quite a contrast to the floor we were left to ponder after clunky road losses at Central Florida and West Virginia in a week’s span were sandwiched around a somewhat miraculous rally to beat TCU (3-5 in Big 12 play) in overtime at home.
—Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2026
Although my normal size fit well (with enough space in the toe box for comfort, sans sloppiness), the clunky-looking shoe lacked the more tailored, three-dimensional build of pricier shoes.
—Maggie Slepian, Outside, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clunky
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 Feb. 2026
Suncast Resin Vertical Tool Shed Unlike other outdoor storage solutions that are made of clunky wood or metal, this shed is an aesthetically pleasing alternative that won’t be an eyesore.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
That’s quite a contrast to the floor we were left to ponder after clunky road losses at Central Florida and West Virginia in a week’s span were sandwiched around a somewhat miraculous rally to beat TCU (3-5 in Big 12 play) in overtime at home.
—Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2026
Although my normal size fit well (with enough space in the toe box for comfort, sans sloppiness), the clunky-looking shoe lacked the more tailored, three-dimensional build of pricier shoes.
—Maggie Slepian, Outside, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clunky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunky
Adjective
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Isabel, sitting in a driving-range stall, is nearly hit with a ball when a clumsy golfer clangs it off a metal railing.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The results are often enervating though sometimes clumsy.—
Eli Enis,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The image became a meme, repeatedly used to portray Miliband as awkward.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
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The communication was straightforward and a bit awkward, sadly missing the mentions of Nancy Guthrie’s humanity that had peppered the family’s first video.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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One approach is to reform outdated and cumbersome permitting processes so clean energy projects, such as for solar and wind power — along with more transmission lines — can be added to our grid more quickly.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
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The legislative process is cumbersome and messy, but ultimately it is shaped by 535 lawmakers’ opinions from districts and states across the nation.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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One proposal for adapting the Winter Games to a warmer world is to merge the Olympics and Paralympics, although this could make the event unwieldy.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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The two leaders were former allies who later became embroiled in bruising political disputes, deepening divisions in one of Asia's most unwieldy democracies.—
JIM GOMEZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunky. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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