ungainly

adjective

ˌən-ˈgān-lē How to pronounce ungainly (audio)
Definition of ungainlynext
1
as in clumsy
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design getting the ungainly couch up the stairs was a real chore

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awkward
having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner the tree cutter was crushing any unlucky petunias that lay in the path of his ungainly tread

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 ungainly Melbourne, Australia — An ungainly barrel of a shark cruising languidly over a barren seabed far too deep for the sun's rays to illuminate was an unexpected sight. — CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026 But the documentary is an ungainly blend of ultra-earnest hagiography and trashy true-crime sensationalism, without being completely satisfying as either. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026 Using original photographs, and input from the Pourtout archives, the restoration team reversed the ungainly Saoutchik body modifications, and the curved windshield and twin rear-window design returned. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 July 2026 The situation has grown so ungainly and untenable that, if Silicon Valley is merely forced to slow down, the viability of all this spending will likely be called into question in ways that could be devastating for many. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ungainly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungainly
  1. clumsy
  2. awkward
  3. unwieldy
  4. gawky
  5. cumbersome
  6. unsteady
  7. uncoordinated
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
  • That's thanks in large part to Hathaway's winning turn as Mia Thermopolis, a gawky teenager who discovers that her estranged grandmother (Julie Andrews) is actually the queen of a small country.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 5 May 2026
  • Somehow, McCarthy’s assurance makes these clichés seem new again, donning them as naturally as O’Connell’s gawky bellboy wearing an old-fashioned red cap.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Definition of gawky
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
  • Early reviews said that House of the Dragon was at the top of its game in season 3, after a periodically unsteady run before that.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Sydney is extra unsteady and flustered.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026
Definition of unsteady
Adjective
  • But the overall picture of the possible Russian drone campaign suggests that the European response has been fragmented and uncoordinated for the most part so far.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
  • In November, a number of odd bedfellows submitted several, uncoordinated letters to the BLM’s acting director, all urging caution about the downstream effects of the CRA ruling.
    — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2026
Definition of uncoordinated

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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of ungainly for Spanish Speakers

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