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
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Recent Examples of cumbersome
Plus, cages can be more cumbersome to store over the winter than stakes.
—
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2025
Their goal is also to reduce stress for breastfeeding parents and avoid the cumbersome use of pre- and post-feed weighing of infants.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 26 May 2025
The production is somewhat hampered by Anthony Tran’s cumbersome costumes and Chin’s grimly rational scenic design.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Although effective, such tests are both expensive and cumbersome and probably not efficient enough to handle the growing need for early diagnosis.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cumbersome
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2025
Their goal is also to reduce stress for breastfeeding parents and avoid the cumbersome use of pre- and post-feed weighing of infants.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 26 May 2025
The production is somewhat hampered by Anthony Tran’s cumbersome costumes and Chin’s grimly rational scenic design.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Although effective, such tests are both expensive and cumbersome and probably not efficient enough to handle the growing need for early diagnosis.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cumbersome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cumbersome
Adjective
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The clumsy use of voice-overs is more embarrassing still.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
-
In the latest, a clumsy but charming young woman in Paris, struggling to become a writer and longing for Jane Austen-style romance, finally has her moment at a Jane Austen Writers’ Residency in England.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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From awkward silences to unresolved tensions, most of us would rather scroll, text, or disappear than risk a moment of raw, honest connection.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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The feelings of being sweaty, red-faced and kind of awkward is very familiar to me.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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The premise is an unwieldy new dragon arrives in Berk and doesn't appear to immediately respond to Hiccup's famous dragon whisperer-like touch, prompting him to question his abilities.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
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To some extent, the Dardennes distract us from this listicle of issues with the skill of old hands used to making unwieldy narratives work.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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There are a few family members who only wear olive, mustard, khaki, black and other dull colors; clunky, unattractive shoes; and few accessories.—
Judith Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2025
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One of the reasons that Ray-Ban and Meta have acheived some success is that the smart glasses, far from the clunky original iterations, have a stylish and familiar design and they are being sold across Ray-Ban’s stores network.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cumbersome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumbersome. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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